THIEVES are targeting churches and community buildings, causing destruction as they search for valuables.

Four burglaries at churches and their halls have been reported to Harrow police in the past week alone.

Several church leaders say their buildings have been raided repeatedly, forcing them to install costly security measures such as CCTV cameras.

Staff at Hatch End Free Church in Rowlands Avenue are counting the cost after windows and doors were smashed during their most recent break-in last weekend – the fifth in the past year.

Church secretary Lesley Walmsley, 78, discovered the debris in the aftermath of the break-in on Sunday

“This is the fifth robbery in the last year,” she said. “It started with lead off the roof in the summer, but then they started coming in the building.

“This time, we had just had the window replaced with toughened glass after the last burglary in April and they smashed that.”

Although items of little value were stolen, it has cost the church about £3,000 to repair the damage.

Mrs Walmsley added: “The church doesn’t have a lot of money and it is costing us a lot. They are looking for money all the time, but we never keep any here. We even have a notice saying that on the front.”

Last weekend, South Harrow Christian Fellowship’s church in South Hill Avenue was broken into, but nothing was taken.

The hall at All Saints Church in Uxbridge Lane, Harrow Weald, was also broken into, although just a cupcake was taken and was left half-eaten among the debris.

The vicar of All Saints, the Reverend James Mercer, said the hall had been broken into twice in six months and staff were planning to increase the level of security.

Mr Mercer added: “There wasn’t anything of value taken, but it is an inconvenience for community groups who use the hall on a regular basis.”

Stanmore Baptist Church in Abercorn Road has installed a number of security measures following two break-ins in the last three months.

Its minister, Shaun Lambert, said: “We have got cameras, which were helpful as both times the burglars were caught on camera.

“We don’t have any valuables here, but they think churches are an easy target. It is a shame that we have to beef up security, but we do live in difficult times.”

On Monday, thieves broke into the Sixth Roxeth Scouts’ hut which backs on to St Paul’s Church in Corbin Lane and stole a projector and jigsaw power tool.

Group leader Frank Stroud said: “It is coming to something when they attack a scout headquarters. It is the lowest of the low.”

A police spokesman said it was too early to tell if any of the crimes were linked. He advised community groups to take precautions such as ensuring all doors and windows are locked when the building is unoccupied.