A Bradford church has been forced to draft in private security guards during church services to combat an alarming wave of vandalism.

The crackdown, thought to be the first of its kind in the district, follows a spate of vandalism and a series of break ins on cars while services are going on.

Private security guards have gone on patrol at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Old Road, Thornton, paid for out of church funds.

The wrecking spree, causing several thousand worth of damage, has seen:

Stained glass windows smashed.

Stones thrown at the neighbouring priest's house.

Cars broken into.

Brand new guttering on the church hall damaged.

Guards will not patrol all church services but will be drafted in to patrol the church grounds with a guard and dog during evening events and services. They will be patrolling tonight for a special event at the church when past priests will be reunited for a concelebration mass and for a dance on Saturday for the church's 60th anniversary celebrations.

John Buffham, acting chairman of the church's parish council, said: "People really do think that enough is enough.

"It's got so bad that people were worried about leaving their cars parked there.

"One was stolen not long ago while people were inside and driven off down the road. So far, having a security guard does seem to have acted as a deterrent."

The church has also been forced to put toughened glass on the main church building to protect its stained glass windows and has put steel shutters on the windows of the church hall.

Church officials have also been in touch with police to ask for more patrols in the area.

A spokesman for the RC Diocese of Leeds said he believed it was possibly the first time a church had been forced to hire private security guards.

"It's very sad that a church feels it has got to come to this. It just reflects the society that we live in," he said.

Thornton councillor Peter Longthorn said: "It shows how far our society has sunk."

"I cannot and could not believe it and I can't believe it now that a group of young children could bombard a church with missiles.

"I witnessed one of the attacks on the church myself. I saw a large group of young boys aged about ten, 12 and 14 rather than 16 to 18.

"They were dancing all over the top of the church porch and one had a lump of timber and was trying to lever something. Nobody round there seems to want to do anything about it."

PC Sandra Land, beat manager for the area which covers Thornton, said a series of meetings has been held between police and youths.

"We hope that we can work constructively with the kids to try to stop this happening," said PC Land.

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