A VICAR today pleaded with vandals to leave his church alone after a spate of 'despicable' attacks on the building.

Thugs have targeted St James's CE Church, Darwen, by smashing windows and causing other damage.

The incidents have prompted police to launch an operation to target the culprits and those responsible for other crimes in the area.

The Rev John Faraday, vicar at St James's, said: "Vandalism is a problem. We have had three or four windows broken and a cast iron drain pipe has been smashed.

"We have had groups of young people hanging about in the churchyard during the day. I just wish these attacks could be stopped and the church and other property protected."

He said doors had also been vandalised and security grilles prised open and the windows beneath them damaged. Sergeant Jason Middleton, of Darwen Police, said: "I have been up to the church and the damage there is quite despicable, and it shows a lack of respect. The cost of vandalism, particularly at a church, can really add up.

"The church is a meeting place and it does seem to be a focal point for the damage, although there have been other incidents of damage in the area.

"Starting this week, we are launching an operation of high visibility policing in the area to target the people we believe to be responsible for the vandalism and other crime. There will be a lot of bobbies on the streets, traffic wardens and mounted police and we want to make the public aware of this.

"We will be targeting the juveniles and others who we believe to be responsible for these incidents. If any member of the public has any questions or wants to talk to a police officer ,they will be able to approach the officers they see in the street."