HOLY Trinity Church in at Cliftonville has been targeted by vandals two nights running. A dozen panes of leaded glass were found broken in the first incident and then parish office staff arrived to find a further 19 panes had been smashed.

Police say that a search of the church interior has not revealed any stones or other missiles that could have been used.

Church staff have been told that young children were seen playing around the church.

The attack is the latest in a recent spate of vandalism against Thanet churches. St Saviours at Westgate Bay Avenue, Westgate, has had windows broken and a flag flown at half mast in respect for the terrorist attack victims in America was stolen. Windows at St Christopher’s church, Ramsgate, have also been broken.

A police spokeswoman said: "Regular patrolling officers and special constables are paying closer attention to churches at risk but it is impossible to keep a round the clock watch. Residents living nearby are being very helpful with information about the specific timings of the attacks and descriptions of anyone they see causing damage.”