A CHURCH that has been targeted by vandals has decided not to report the culprits, but to try and help them instead.

Kempsey Church was locked for around a week after it was hit by a number of minor acts of vandalism and thefts, however the vicar says the church has not reported the antisocial behaviour formally to the police, preferring to work with the young people to “try to address the underlying issues” and “engage with them.”

Last week, small items such as the sweets used for the youth club and gas lights used to light candles were stolen. Damage was done to the church’s toilets by people who shoved items down them.

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Reverend Mark Badger said: “The church is open every day, for a period we will have to lock the church while we address the issues.”

Reverend Badger said he knows the culprits are some young people in the area.

He said: “Some of them have admitted to some of the things (that have been done to the church) and we have been trying to work with them to try and address what is causing their behaviour.”

The local police community support officer is aware of the vandalism but the church has not taken the matter further. Reverend Badger said: “We are trying to provide activities for young people in the area. We are running a youth club and I have got a couple of projects happening in the village.”

Reverend Badger said he believes the issues are around young people not having anything to do and falling into antisocial acts.

Revolt Recording, who are based in Worcester, is putting on music activities in Kempsey as part of the church’s effort to engage the youngsters.