A CHURCH at the centre of a vandalism mystery is to be fitted with CCTV to try and catch criminals who have torn up prayer books and ridden bikes inside the building.

Candle sticks and Nativity figures have also been hidden, the safe tampered with and fire extinguishers let off in the aisles.

Church warden Clifford Simpson said the past 12 months has seen a severe escalation in the vandalism and hoped CCTV cameras would help put an end to it.

“Things get pinched and stolen, pages torn out of prayer books, there’s muddy bike marks in the porch, the Christmas lights were dragged off the tree...even a doll of baby Jesus was stolen out of its crib. People have got no respect coming into a church and doing this,” he said.

CCTV costing around £1000 will be installed this week is a last ditch attempt to stop the damage before church leaders consider closing the building during the day.

“It would be a shame to do that because people do enjoy stopping off and looking around but it’s during the day at the weekend’s when it’s happening. Churches that don’t open during the day and are locked up don’t have problems with vandalism like us,” Mr Clifford added.

Last year £10,000 worth of copper was taken from the church roof - which combined with recent vandalism has put a serious dent in the church’s finances.

He said: “It’s expensive fitting CCTV and we could do without it. This has just been going on and on and we’ve got to stamp it out because we just don’t have the money to keep going like we are. It’s insulting whatever, but it’s worse because it’s a church.”

Cumbria police have been informed of the incidents.

Vandalism at the church is the latest in a series of anti-social incidents in the town. Last month police were investigating damage to the town’s public toilets and two incidents of anti-social behaviour in Market Square involving local teenagers.

In a letter to Kirkby Stephen Town Council head teacher of Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, David Keetley, said: “As ever, when damage is done I try to identify the culprits and deal with them. Blanket appeals may lead to pupils giving information but the vast majority of pupils at KSGS are well-behaved and would be appalled at this idea of vandalism or damage to the church or toilets.”

“The culprits might well be from the school - or indeed former pupils, but I do believe this is a police matter too. They should monitor this area and identify the people involved and when the damage was done.”