Vandals smash Corpus Christi church crucifix in ‘hateful act’ - Police step up patrols as priests fear spate of attacks will escalate

Published: 26 March 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

POLICE have stepped up patrols in the Covent Garden area following a spate of burglaries and vandalism attacks on churches over the past month.

Corpus Christi, behind the Strand, has been targeted four times – most recently on Friday when its crucifix was smashed to pieces with what appears to have been a hammer. 

In separate incidents, vandals wrenched a statue from the ground and dumped it on the altar, ripped a painting from the wall and smashed another crucifix.

Father Alan Robinson, parish priest at Corpus Christi, fears the crime spree could end in an act of physical violence.

St Anselm and St Cecilia in Kingsway has also been targeted and St Paul’s, “the actors’ church” in Covent Garden piazza, said it was on “red alert”.

Father Robinson, who has only been parish priest at the church in Maiden Lane since the beginning of February, said: “We are vulnerable here because being a church we tend to be open most of the time. But this is very frightening. One of the attacks happened just before a mass and there were people in the church.

“What if he had weapon? We are really worried there is going to be an attack in the church. People are anxious. A crucifix has huge significance for the church and I think this is a really hateful act.”

Father Robinson has left the broken crucifix in the church as a “warning” and is considering installing CCTV in the building. His counterpart at St Anselm and St Cecilia was not available to comment, but a notice at the church entrance says it is raising money to install security cameras.

It is understood police have a suspect who is believed to be suffering from mental health disorders but they would not comment on the specifics of the investigation.

Simon Grigg, rector at St Paul’s Church, said: “We are aware other churches have had problems. Thankfully we have a caretaker and are a little more secure than other churches, but we will be on red alert.”

Rob Gauntlett, sergeant of Covent Garden Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “We work very closely with the church and are actively involved in helping tackle anti-social behaviour. We visit on a daily basis when we are on duty providing reassurance and support to the church.”