Volunteers ‘disgusted’ after vandals steal 40 paving stones from Dewsbury church

The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels in Thornhill was targeted late last Tuesday night (March 8), with vandals taking the stones from the west end of the churchyard.

John Halliday, church warden, said: “I got a call from one of our parishioners on Wednesday morning (March 9), who said that a friend had been walking through the churchyard and had seen that a number of our paving slabs had been taken up.

“I called down to the churchyard where I counted them and released between 35-40 paving slabs that had been taken.

“It is regrettable that people feel they need to steal from other people and not bear the consequences.

“It is the same situation as when people take lead off church roofs - very little gain but a great cost to the church.

“We made a report to the police, who naturally said that there wasn't a lot they could do about it because it is hard to identify York stone paving slabs.”

The west end of the church, where the paving stones were vandalised, is situated in a conservation area right next to the Grade I listed building and will cost thousands of pounds to repair.

Brian Pearson, chairman of the fabric group, which is a small group of volunteers who maintain the churchyard, said: “I am disgusted that some people were prepared to vandalise this sacred space for their own ends.

“Parishioners and local folk were horrified to witness the destruction caused just as the grounds were coming back to life after a wet winter.

“Not only is this a crime, it brings distress and sorrow to those who come to visit loved ones or visit a beautiful space.

“We are in touch with our Insurers and hope to get repairs done before the wedding season starts in April.”

Mr Halliday and Mr Pearson have logged the vandalism with the police. Anyone who has any information is urged to contact the police via 101 referencing crime number 13220227008 or contact the church on 01924 529861.