Earby church warden makes citizen's arrest on vandal suspect (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Earby church warden makes citizen's arrest on vandal suspect

8:40am Monday 7th September 2009 in

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A 74-YEAR-OLD retired prison guard carried out a citizen’s arrest on a teenager suspected of smashing up a church.

Church warden Lewis Stott detained the youngster until police arrived after up to £15,000 worth of damage was caused to All Saints Church, Skipton Road, Earby.

Vandals wreaked havoc at the church when they threw around 60 missiles through stained glass windows.

The attack has left church figures devastated, but determined to continue with their centenary celebrations planned for this week.

Mr Stott was one of the first people on the scene after the damage was discovered at 5.30pm on Thursday.

He said: “When I arrived at the church I saw the damage and couldn’t believe it.

“I walked down towards the vicarage to see if they had caused any damage there and could hear people inside.

“They were laughing and cheering and it sounded like they were really smashing the place up. You could hear lots of broken glass.”

He then kept watch by hiding behind a tree when he saw two people he believed had been involved.

Mr Stott said: “I went to cut them off and managed to stop one of them, and I marched him down to the road to wait for the police to turn up.

“The damage caused is unbelievable. It is incredible to think people will do this.

“Those responsible should be made to help pay for the damage and clean up.”

While Mr Stott was carrying out his citizen’s arrest, fellow church warden Vera Cocker had called the police.

Vandals smashed side windows in the church which date back to when it was originally built, as well as a large Trinity stained glass window that is on the first floor level of the church.

The church has been told that it will cost between £10,000 and £15,000 to repair the damage.

Reverend Hugh Fielden said the church’s centenary celebrations would go ahead this week as normal.

He said: “We are going to have a fantastic centenary this week. We are not going to let this affect us.

“We have got to be positive and start to look forward. We are here to serve the community and that is what we intend to do.

“It has been so upsetting what has happened and it has left us devastated.

“It might not be the most beautiful church but it is the symbolism they are attacking.

“It’s like our spiritual family home.”

Police said four teenagers, two boys and two girls from Colne, Earby, Sough and Barnoldswick, are being questioned by police in connection with the incident.