Ransacked: Senseless rampage by vandals at Walsall church
Vandals have gone on a 'senseless' rampage at a church, leaving shattered glass in the aisles and doors hanging off their hinges.
Yobs broke into St Edmund Gennings Church on Forest Gate, , through a back door.
Once inside, they ripped up the disused church room by room in an attack branded disgusting by people living nearby.
They ransacked the office and kitchen rooms, leaving paper work, fire extinguishers, furniture and rubbish scattered across the floor, and the aisles were left littered with glass and toilet paper. Windows on the outside of the building were also smashed.
Councillor Ian Shires, who represents Willenhall, said: "I am very concerned about this, it paints a bad picture on so many levels.
"The church is in a prominent section of New Invention, so it doesn't look good to passers by when they see this from the outside. When you go inside, however, it is so much worse. This is an absolutely senseless crime and I am disgusted someone has carried it out.
"They have totally destroyed the inside of this small community church. It brings to mind the question: Is nothing sacred? I would urge anyone who knows anything about what happened to tell the police."
Nearby resident Jay McCabe said he regularly sees a gang of up to five youths loitering around the building.
He said: "They are there every night. Every night. One day going back a couple of years, I can't remember when, some kids were out there and my girlfriend said one of them has launched something at our door.
Asked what he thought could stop the anti-social behaviour Mr McCabe said: "More police patrolling.
"But they act like they haven't got a care in the world.
"Every day there's someone out there, or banging. Every day."
Anyone with information about the vandalism should contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
