A POLICE officer has criticised youths who vandalised a historic Colchester building which is undergoing much-needed regeneration work.

A group of teenagers broke into St Botolph’s Priory, a scheduled ancient monument, and damaged work being carried out to spruce up the ruined building and its grounds.

Police were called after choristers practising in the adjacent St Botolph’s Church were disturbed.

PC Adam Westall, from Colchester police, said: “While on sacred grounds, the group consumed cans of alcohol and pulled up brickwork paving, tipped over a wheelbarrow of soil on to the newly placed lawn and then ran off when challenged.

“It’s really disappointing a group like this could have such little respect for a historic site.

“It shows a lack of pride for the area.”

The incident happened just before 8pm on Friday night.

Police have gathered forensic evidence and are looking at CCTV coverage of the area.

PC Westall said: “I am keen for the group to come forward so we can organise for them to clean the mess up.”

The Augustinian priory, built in the late 11th century, fell into decline after King Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries 500 years later.

It suffered further damage during the siege of Colchester, during the English Civil War.

Colchester Council is spending £100,000 to revitalise the grounds, with planting and improved pathways as well as moving the war memorial to the graveyard at St Botolph’s Church.

Jo Edwards, chairman of Colchester Civic Society, said she “condemned” those responsible for the damage.

She said: “I’m a great fan of the work the council is doing at the priory and it’s a great shame that people have abused it.

“But I can sympathise with the teenagers of today.

“There is nowhere safe and affordable for them to go to be with their friends and that causes frustration and boredom, which leads to these kind of incidents.”

Any witnesses are asked to contact PC Adam Westall at Colchester police station on 0300 3334444.