VANDALS who have repeatedly targeted a medieval Barry church have now wrecked the police sign designed to warn them against causing criminal damage.

South Wales Police officers are now investigating a report of vandalism at St Dyfan and St Teilo’s Church, Merthyr Dyfan Road, Barry, which occurred sometime over the weekend of Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11.

Resident, Rowena Hughes said the police signs had only just been fitted by her husband Brian Hughes.

The Grade II-listed church, in the Colcot, suffered thousands of pounds of damage following a break-in between Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26.

The church also suffered three damage incidences in March and another in August this year with the most recent in September this year.

Mrs Hughes said: “It’s really upsetting as it’s just pure vandalism.

“There is nothing there to steal.

“The church had stood since 13th century and survived numerous conflicts and two world wars.

“We must as a community help to preserve this historic church for future generations.”

In the September incident, the church’s churchyard wall was further damaged and the porch metal gate - the work of renowned architect George Pace who restored Llandaff Cathedral after the war damage - was smashed in.

The temporary cover which was fixed over the tower window - which had also previously been smashed up - was broken again, enabling the criminals to gain entry to the church.

A stained-glass window of Jesus as a child, given in memorial of a past church member suffered damaged.

Team vicar at Merthyr Dyfan, Father Robert Parrish said he thought some people had some sort of grudge.

Father Parish said: “It seems that some people have got it in for the church, but many more are outraged by their behaviour and have committed themselves to looking out for troublemakers, and contacting the police.

“So, something good is coming out of it.”

Barry police inspector, Mark Henderson said: “Following a number of acts of vandalism at the church, local police officers provided the church with a ‘warning sign against vandalism’ in an attempt to deter further offences.

“However, sadly, this has now been ripped off the gate over the weekend.”

Inspector Henderson added: “We would like to remind those people who are responsible for these mindless acts of vandalism that they are committing a criminal offence and they will be arrested and prosecuted.

“This is extremely distressing for the church owners and members and we are appealing to anyone who may have information about these offences to contact us.”

Anyone with information, should call 101, or send South Wales Police a private Facebook message, quoting reference number 2000371233.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111.