Church thieves cause up to £10k damage only to steal less than £200 in charity pot

The vicar at St Margaret’s church in Rainham said someone broke into the historic church some time on Saturday night.

Rev Nathan Ward said they smashed a stain glass window and surrounding stonework. The damages will cost up to £10,000 to repair.

“The sad thing is that they have seriously damaged one of our old stained glass windows and they seem to have taken very little. There is almost no money kept in the church in any case.
He said the suspects left with £200 from the church’s charity pot.

“We’ve been serving local people for 900 years. If people need help you don’t need to break in, we’ll help you. That’s the tragedy of it all,” Rev Ward added.

The church office was also ransacked and the CCTV camera was stolen. However, the vicar said the break-in will not “dampen spirits” as Christmas approaches.

“This is a season where we especially think of those whose lives have taken a wrong turn and would welcome an opportunity to meet with those involved so we can help and support them. We bear no ill will.”

Police were called to the church art 7:40am on Sunday and were also responding to another break-in at nearby St Thomas of Canterbury in London Road.

The church made arrangements for the congregation to worship at other services in the local area on Sunday as police began…