A CANVEY church is being forced to upgrade its security after vandals smashed windows for the second time this month.

St Nicholas Church, on Long Road, had previously installed tough glass to stop incidents like this, but on Wednesday night a church window was smashed for the second time in just three weeks.

The church has now decided there is no other option than to extend CCTV to cover the whole church site, a worrying sign of the 21st century, according to the church’s canon.

The Rev David Tudor said: “It is sad and upsetting.

“I struggle to understand the mindset of someone who would do that.

“I would say it must be a case of someone not feeling involved with the community, and possible disenfranchised.

“It is worrying that in our community there are a number of people who feel that way.

“It is a sense of not belonging, and if you did belong you would understand that these are public buildings that are part of our community - and that’s not just churches, it’s libraries and pubs and schools.

“I understand accidents, say a football hits a window or something, but this is purposeful and calculated, and has taken a lot of energy because it isn’t easy to do.”

The Castle Point community policing team recently launched an antisocial behaviour initiative looking to reduce issues in the town centre.

The Rev Tudor added: “They do not perceive the value this has in the community.

“What I hope is there will be a time when the importance of the service we provide is highlighted.

“We had similar issues 20 years ago or so.

“There were a group of young men who would hang around on the church site, litter, take drugs and the like.

“Sadly one of their friends died due to an overdose, but after they all attended his funeral at the church, they realised and it all stopped overnight, literally instantly.

“It is all about education and a sense of belonging, that has always been one of our biggest challenges as a church, and it will continue to be.

“But we always welcome people in, and will educate and talk to anyone who wants to listen.”

Replacement glass has already been purchased by the church, and will be installed shortly.