Thieves stole a village church’s entire front path in a senseless wrecking spree.

St John the Baptist Church in Bredgar was targeted in a planned that most likely occurred in the early hours of December 23.

Paving slabs each weighing more than 50lbs were individually prised up and taken.

The damage was only discovered the next day by a cleaner, who immediately notified the church wardens Tim Ford and Julian Hopper, who said: “It was a bit of a shock – we’ve had lead stolen before, but you don’t expect the path to go.

“Christmas is a time of goodwill. If they had really been that desperate for money they could have knocked – the church is there to help people and not be stolen from.

“It also happened at a time
running up to our busiest services of the year – the midnight mass and the Christmas Day services.

“Thankfully, the school next door opened up their path for us.

“The inconvenience to the church and the cost far outweighs the value of the paving.

“How low will people stoop? Nowhere is safe or sacred.”

Mr Hopper estimates the repair and replacement costs will run into thousands of pounds.

A police spokesman said: “We are investigating the theft of paving slabs in Bredgar.

“How low will people stoop? Nowhere is safe or sacred" - Julian Hopper

"It was reported that six slabs were stolen from the entrance to the parish church in The Street between 9.30pm on 22 December and 9.20am on 23 December.

“There were no forensic opportunities and the victim has been updated as to all lines of inquiry completed.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 and quote crime reference number XY/45154/14 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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