HYNDBURN clergy today said churches were "under threat" after a series of break-ins and vandal attacks.

Police have now appealed for residents to watch out for thieves who target churches.

In the latest incident, crooks raided St John's Church, in Dowry Street, Accrington after smashing a ground floor vestry window to get in.

They stole just £5 in cash from the collection box.

The offence, which took place between 11.30pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday, is part of a growing trend of burglaries and vandalism of churches in East Lancashire.

The Rev Ian Robertson said it was the second time the church had been targeted by thieves in a matter of months.

"It cost us more than £3,000 to repair a stained glass window the last time. That was in October. And at St Augustine's, in Huncoat, we had more than 20 panes of stained glass broken in September.

"I think CCTV cameras and more security lighting are the only way. It's terrible, all places of worship are under threat ."

St James Church, in Church, was targeted three times in five weeks in October and November, with thieves stealing the contents of the collection box.

And thieves removed slates from the roof of St Peter's Church, in Richmond Street, Accrington.

In September, vandals set fire to the town's empty Sacred Heart Church, in Blackburn Road,. Three days earlier, vandals had struck at the newly-refurbished West End Methodist Church, in Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, tearing down guttering, smashing a double-glazed window and removing roof slates.

This week Pendle MP Gordon Prentice raised the issue with Constitutional Affairs Minister, David Lammy, after learning that one in seven Church of England buildings were vandalised last year.

A spokesman for Accrington Police said: "We are tasking officers on nights to watch churches but residents need to keep their eyes peeled as well.."

Peel ward councillor, Graham Jones, added: "These people have no conscience. They should be dealt with severely by the courts if they are caught.

"The last time I was up there, four youths were trying to break the school windows next door with beer bottles."