Two Staffordshire churches are targeted by thugs

Christ Church in Burntwood had two stained glass windows smashed and was broken into while Trinity Church in Hednesford also had its windows damaged for the second time in a week.

Police are investigating both cases and are appealing for witnesses to come forward. No arrests have yet been made.

Christ Church was broken into between 4pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.

The windows were smashed at the premises in Church Road.

Once inside the burglars searched the church but nothing was actually stolen.

A pair of internal double wooden doors were also damaged.

Burntwood Central Councillor Heather Tranter said: "I heard there had been an incident. It's disgraceful that this has happened.

"I have lived in Burntwood for 40 years and never heard anything like this happen at the church before.

"I heard they broke in and that there were papers scattered around inside. Nothing had actually been stolen but two stained glass windows were broken."

A window was broken at Trinity Church – just a week after another smashed window was reported to police.

Guides turned up at the church in Station Road on Monday evening at around 7pm only to find a window broken and shattered glass.

A church warden was called to the scene on Tuesday morning to clear up the mess.

Staffordshire Police spokesman Peter Bate said police had been called to the church on February 4 to a report of a broken window.

"At first it looked like an attempted break-in but it later turned out to be damage to a window," he said.

Anyone with information on either incidents should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.