VANDALS have smashed windows at a remote Ryedale church, causing damage which will cost hundreds to repair.
Only last week, the Gazette & Herald reported how three other village churches had suffered criminal damage and theft from collection boxes.
Now large stones have been thrown through the beautiful stained glass designs at St Andrew's Church in Kirby Grindalythe which will cost £500 to replace.
PC Rich Houghton of Malton police said: "Any criminal damage offence is bad, but when someone targets a church it is despicable.
"The church is the entire community's responsibility. By their very nature, these buildings are always going to be vulnerable to such offences, because they are isolated and not permanently occupied.
"Everybody should think of it as their civic responsibility to keep an eye out, particularly at a time when a few churches have been targeted."
He added: "Parents should reinforce the message to children that a church should be respected as a place of worship for many."
The Gazette & Herald is urging members of the public to come forward with any information which can help the police combat incidents of anti-social behaviour like this.
If an incident is occurring and people or property are at immediate risk, you should dial 999.
To tell a police officer about something troubling your neighbourhood, call 0845 6060247, which stands for 60 seconds a minute, 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sergeant Anna Rees of Malton police said she was very pleased with the campaign.
"From the police point of view, it is an ideal way for us to involve the community in trying to clean up the neighbourhood and stop any bouts of anti social behaviour," she said. "If people are aware of people causing damage we would like them to come forward and pass on that information and deal with it."
She added: "Most of our evidence comes from the public, and the evidence of the public carries a lot of weight, and long may that continue."
From the police files
A man had been assaulted and was taken to Scarborough Hospital with head injuries, where he was later discharged.
Sergeant Gary Riddler of Malton police arrived with five other officers. "We were met by quite a hostile crowd," he said. Back-up was called but the officers were unable to identify who had committed the assault.
Sgt Riddler described the incident as a "nasty and violent attack".
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