The Diocese of Chelmsford has urged clergy to seek advice from police on how to secure churches after a spate of vandalism.

Appeal launched to protect Tollesbury church.

The advice comes after vandals desecrated gravestones at St Mary's and St Christopher's Church in Braintree causing £450 damage.

And just last week vandals struck at St Mary's Church in Tollesbury ripping up flowers and remembrance plaques before throwing vases and stones through the church windows.

Several stained glass windows were smashed with the faces of religious figures knocked out causing £2,500, worth of damage.

The Rev Philip Banks of the Diocese of Chelmsford said the attacks went in phases and said vandals tended to tamper with chest tombs rather than gravestones.

He said: "They might look as though there is something in them but they are empty.

"We always recommend clergy to get a police crime prevention officer to come round and give advice.

"And we also advise churches to get a couple of neighbours who live nearby to keep an eye out in a neighbourhood watch type of way."

He added: "It's very upsetting for the family of the deceased when gravestones have been tampered with."

The Rev Philip Meader of St Mary's and St Christopher's Church in Panfield Lane, said he had contacted relatives of one vandalised grave but didn't know where the family of the others lived.

He added the church had been subjected to attacks about three years ago and that it was in a vulnerable position.

Appeal launched to buy window grilles

An appeal was launched today to buy grilles to protect the windows at St Mary's Church in Tollesbury.

Villagers are being asked to dig deep to help raise £7,000 to buy the grilles following a vandal attack at the historic church, parts of which date back to the 11th century.

Up to 1,100 households will receive a leaflet asking them for help and says the plea for cash is because "it seems unfortunately necessary to protect our beautiful church".

The Rev Keith Lovell, said the idea was the brainchild of Friends of St Mary's treasurer Jeremy Heigham.

"A leaflet is going to every house in the village and coincides with the distribution of the newsletter and the aim is to raise more than £7,000, for the grilles," he added. The attack was part of spate in mid-Essex.

Meanwhile, a £600 sound system including amplifiers and tapes has been stolen from St Nicholas Church, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, after burglars caused £40 damage breaking in.

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