A VICAR saddened at the burglary of a parish church has urged those in need of help to “knock on our door” and ask for it rather than resorting to crime.

Reverend Emma Parker spoke after burglars broke into the vestry of St Mary’s Church, in Easington Village, and made off empty-handed, apart from some window lead.

The burglary was discovered by a church warden shortly before the morning service on Sunday.

Rev Parker said: “They had taken quite a lot of panelling from the window to get into the vestry. Fortunately, apart from doing damage to the vestry and window, they didn’t manage to get into the rest of the church.

“What is really sad is what the reason is behind this may be - that someone who is desperate for money or for whatever reason, to do that.

“Members of the congregation were sad for the people who did it. The thinking was what has driven someone to do this. “If people need help we would prefer them to knock on our door and ask for help, rather than go through their window. We haven’t got lots of money hidden away.”

She added: “We run a food bank at the church. If anyone needs help in anyway or needs someone to listen to them we can either help or make an appointment with someone who can help them.”

A Durham Police spokesman said: “St Mary’s Church at Hall Walk, Easington Village, was targeted on overnight on Saturday. The perpetrators smashed a stained glass window to enter the vestry of the church.

“They made an untidy search of the property before leaving with lead removed from the window.”

Anyone with information should contact Durham Police on 101 quoting 99 of April 8.