Burglars smash windows and trash rooms at church

Six doors were damaged during the incident, but the church area was not affected

A priest said he is in shock after burglars prised open a safe before trashing rooms and smashing windows at a church.

Gerard Barry said the people responsible for the break in did as much damage as they could, though only a small amount of money was taken during the incident on 25th April.

Father Barry worked as a chaplain in high security prisons for 12 years before becoming parish priest at St Joseph’s Church in Audley, Lancashire.

He said the "violence" of the burglary had bothered him in a way he was not expecting.

The people responsible caused thousands of pounds worth of damage

"I've been burgled many times in my life but this was a shocker," he said.

"I don't understand what the point was. It was mindless, absolutely mindless and there's something kind of cruel about it.

"I'm not blind to what goes on, I've been victim of burglaries and assaults before. A guy tried to take me hostage in prison once.

"I've been through all sorts of things, but this one has bothered me."

He said the people responsible caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the sacristy - where the priest prepares for service - and the presbytery, an area where a minister or priest would live that was empty at the time.

The safe only contained documents and very little money

He said six doors were damaged during the incident, but the church area was not affected.

The back of a safe was ripped open, however it only contained documents and very little money.

They also ripped open any envelopes and records they could find.

"They were obviously searching for money, they pulled out every drawer and threw everything on the floor," he said.

"You couldn't see the floor for the damage and the mess.

"When they realised there wasn't anything to take, they lost it, they basically caused as much damage as the could.

"It was shocking, we've been cleaning for four days and still not got to the bottom of it."

They people responsible ripped open any envelopes and records they could find

The 59-year-old said he was not a vengeful person, but he would like the opportunity to speak to the people responsible to understand their motive.

"There's certain things even prisoners won't do, one of those things used to be that they wouldn't target a church," he said.

"The actual amount of violence, there was an anger level there and a lack of care and I find that quite sad for whoever did it.

"I just think what's going on in your head that you could do something so destructive."

Father Barry said he would like the opportunity to speak to the people responsible

Father Barry said community had "responded beautifully" to the burglary, offering to help tidy and fix the damage.

The head of maintenance from one of the local mosques had offered to help secure the church doors.

A fundraising page has also been set up on behalf of the church, with funds going towards repair costs.

"The last few days have worn me down, but the positive thing is, people have responded so beautifully," Father Barry said.

"They've been marvellous, they've even made donations which will go towards securing the place.

"I'm very grateful because it wouldn't even cross my mind to ask for that."

Lancashire Constabulary said the burglary was under investigation and enquiries were ongoing.