Appeal for information after criminal damage at church

Police are appealing for information following a report of criminal damage at a church in Quedgeley which had happened overnight on Tuesday (16 November).

Memorial plaques were damaged while flowers and flower pots were thrown around outside of St James Church in School Lane.

Flowers have previously been taken from graves and police believe this may be linked.

Officers have spoken to the vicar and church wardens, who would like to explore working with the offenders when they have been identified, to educate them on how their actions have impacted the church community. They are happy for those involved to approach them directly rather than through the police.

However, officers are appealing on the church’s behalf at this stage and anyone with information about the damage should contact Gloucestershire Constabulary through the website, quoting incident 295 of 17 November: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/a-crime-that-has-already-been-reported/

Alternatively you can call 101 or speak directly to the church office.

PC Manpreet Thind said: “This is a chance for the Quedgeley community to come together to say that this behaviour is entirely unacceptable. We hope that anyone who knows the perpetrators will encourage them to come forward and make amends.”