BURGLARS have caused hundreds of pounds of damages to a church to steal only few pounds.

Thieves struck at St John the Evangelist Church at Blandford Place, Seaham, between 9pm last night and 9am this morning.

Parish priest Father Paul Kennedy said: “We arrived for a service this morning only to find stuff all over the place.

“They took of the plaster and then pulled off the protective plastic covering and then broke the leaded stained glass window to get into the kitchen area of the church.

"They were obviously in search of money and tried to get into a few boxes and things.

“Probably hundreds of pounds of damage was caused for a few pounds. They didn’t take anything else.”

A Durham Police spokesman said: “No place of worship should be subject to vandalism and acts of disrespect. We are now investigating to find those responsible.”

  • Anyone with information should contact 101 quoting reference number 75 of January 26.