A COMMUNITY is in shock after residents reported seeing teenagers throwing bricks at a church.

St Nicholas Church, in Long Road, Canvey, was targeted by four youths aged between 13 and 16 on Monday.

Mike Halford, 27, of Willow Close, Canvey, saw events unfold from his house and captured footage of the troublemakers causing damage.

He said: “I saw four kids running to the church, who I am guessing were in their early teens.

“They ran around the back of the church and you could hear they were causing damage. I couldn’t see clearly, because it’s obscured by trees.

“I guess they were throwing bricks at the new wall, which is now broken. I spoke to the builders and they say putting it right has set them back.

“It’s terrible to see, and the police have been contacted.”

Father David Tudor, Rector of Canvey, said: “It was shocking for neighbours to watch, and obviously we are grateful for their vigilence.

“It’s sad to think teenagers have nothing better to do on a rainy bank holiday and one wonders whether their families were aware of what went on.”

The church is undergoing building work, with an extension being added to the rear of the premises.

Robert Nash, 55, owner of nearby Nash and Sons Butchers, in Long Road, believes trouble of this kind is rare for the area.

He added: “We don’t really get vandalism or problems like that.

“It’s normally very quiet here, we sometimes get a few kids hanging around on the street corners but they don’t usually cause damage.

It’s very disappointing to hear they’ve damaged the church.”