Church targeted by 'mindless' thieves

REV. Arthur Janes holding a metal bar which was pulled away from the window before it was smashed

AN Oldham church which goes out of its way to help the most vulnerable members of society is being repeatedly targeted by despicable thieves.

Oldham Baptist Church, in Chaucer Street, suffered its seventh break-in since January on Sunday when cowardly culprits used tools to wrench off security bars and smash through a window .

Rev Arthur Janes says the frustrating thing is they're not really stealing anything but the cost of repairs, replacing glass and installing security measures is a big hit for the self-funded organisation.

He says they've been "picking and choosing" small amounts of food from what they call "Peter's Pantry" ­- a store they hand out to those in need ­- but that has now been removed.

Nothing was taken during Sunday night's break-in but they smashed a window and removed security bars from the children's crèche as well as breaking a glass door.

Every Thursday the church throws open its doors to feed dozens of homeless people and destitute asylum seekers through the Welcome Project.

Rev Janes says he can't understand the thinking behind the attacks, particularly as they are renowned for doing so much to help others.

"I'm very angry to be honest," said Rev Janes.

"We're starting to dread what we'll find when get here and even the insurance has got so sick of us claiming we don't bother anymore, we just pay for it ourselves.

"If we weren't in a position where we could help people and if we were turning people away I could understand it but we don't. We are here to help people. If someone is hungry we feed them. I know people are desperate but this isn't the way.

"We have around 90 people coming to us for a hot meal every Thursday. If someone comes to our door in need we help them, simple as that.

"We are a very generous church in reaching out to the community.

"We've paid around £2,000 to have bars installed on the windows which isn't a good image for a church but we've had to do something. It's money we could use to get more young people coming to the church. Instead we're having to waste it stopping these mindless people. We just don't know where it's going to end but we do know other things will start to suffer if we have to keep paying out to replace windows and repair damage."

Rev Janes said it's the 11th break-in at Oldham Baptist Church since he arrived in the borough in September 2015.