Doncaster, UK – St John The Evangelist Church in Balby, Doncaster, which has fallen victim to seven burglaries in recent months, has received a much-needed lifeline in the form of free security services.
Keep Safe & Secure, a local security company, has stepped forward to offer four weeks of complimentary security oversight to help protect the church and its invaluable assets.
The repeated burglaries have been a significant cause of distress for the church community, particularly due to the targeting of its food bank. The most recent break-in saw an audacious thief entering the church through a 175-year-old stained-glass window and vandalizing the historic masterpiece while rummaging through the food bank donations. The incident was captured on the church’s CCTV cameras, shedding light on the desperate need for improved security measures.
According to James Michie, representing a security firm in Leeds, during an interview with BBC Look North, the break-ins are significantly burdening the church’s financial resources.
“I just can’t understand why the kid keeps doing it. At the end of the day you can walk through the door and get a couple of loaves or whatever clothes you need.
“There’s no point breaking in and causing this much damage… and the church is having to pay out with the insurance excess.”
Rev. Derek Pamment expressed a desire to address the underlying causes of the recent break-in. He made it known that the church is open to dialogue and eager to collaboratively resolve the issues motivating such actions.
The generous offer from Keep Safe & Secure has come as a ray of hope for the church and its members. The security company, known for its dedication to safeguarding local establishments, will provide comprehensive security oversight to ensure the safety of the church and its premises.
Upon hearing about the burglaries, the management of Keep Safe & Secure was deeply moved by the distress faced by the church community. Realizing the importance of protecting a place of worship and a valuable community resource, the company decided to step in and offer their services free of charge.
As the church prepares to strengthen its security infrastructure, the hope is that these combined efforts will deter further criminal activities and restore a sense of safety and serenity to St John The Evangelist Church and its cherished community.