11:40am Wednesday 7th May 2008
By Lynn Brown
A VICAR has demanded that parents control their children after vandals ransacked a listed church and destroyed its ancient stained glass windows.
The Rev David Bayley, minister of St Andrew's Church in Weaverthorpe, said the attack on Sunday evening has left a "sour taste in the mouth of every decent resident" in the Wolds community.
Around 30 stained glass panels were broken, a noticeboard set on fire and a light fitting smashed.
A wooden stake was discovered in a choir stall of the Grade I listed building after it was lobbed through one of the ornate windows.
Rev Bayley said the delicate leaded glass was a "work of art" and it would cost several thousands of pounds to repair.
He said: "Nothing like this has ever happened here before and it really is a despicable act. There is no doubt in my mind that young people are responsible for inflicting this terrible damage to our parish church.
"These vandals do not realise the great historical and architectural importance of the building and the effect this has had on the village. The damage is severe and I cannot understand why they would want to do such a thing.
"I have written a letter to parents to make them realise what is happening in their village. Some of them must not care what their children get up to when they leave the house and it really is up to them to ensure that they are not getting into trouble.
"I will not hesitate to prosecute the culprits and it's time we made a stand against these marauding youths."
Police officers have taken away a can of pop and cigarette butts left at the scene for DNA and forensic testing.
In a letter which has been sent to homes in the village, Rev Bayley said: "Do you know where your children are when they leave the house? Do you know what they are doing around the village? Do you care?"
Church warden Elsie Williamson was the first person to witness the devastation and said the sight "nearly brought me to tears".
She has lived in the village for 50 years and said this is the worst vandalism she has ever come across.
"It's so terrible that this has happened - is this what society has come to?" she said.
"We had to start locking the church a few years ago after children would break in at night and smoke in the pews and throw kneelers about. That was bad enough but this damage is really terrible and the windows were so beautiful.
"Nothing like this would ever happen years ago and it really is so upsetting. It's not long since we finally raised enough money to replace the church roof and floor and we had to worship in the Methodist building for nearly a year. Now this has happened. It is so upsetting."
Ryedale police Insp Tim Hutchinson is urging people with information about the vandal attacks to come forward.
He said: "Damage of this kind is always particularly distressing for a community and it is something we treat seriously.
"An investigation has been started and we would like to here from anyone who knows how this damage has occurred.
"I believe that the vicar is right to ask for everyone in the community to play their part in preventing such damage occurring."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact their local officer, PC Andy Grant, on 0845 6060247 and ask for the Malton Safer Neighbourhood Team or email on Ryedalenpt@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
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Should parents take responsibility for their children's actions?
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