RECKLESS yobs caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage around Bromsgrove during a weekend of vandalism.

Youths forced their way into the cellar of St John's Parish Church, in Crown Close, which is used as a youth club, and trashed the site.

The gang ripped doors off hinges, destroyed cupboards and damaged equipment used by the Choir Club, the group that use the facility.

The church was targeted between 5pm on Saturday May 21 and 6.50am the following day.

Beer bottles were smashed on the floor during the incident, which caused over £550 worth of damage.

Jenny Ashmore, chairwoman of the church fabric committee, said: "It is down to drink-fuelled yobs being allowed to roam the streets.

"Their parents don't know where they are and they can just cause whatever trouble they like. There are beer and wine bottles everywhere."

Police were also called to the area on Saturday, May 21 after a large gang of youths began to throw beer bottles at the conservatory of St John's Nursing Home, off Market Street.

One window was smashed in the incident.

Also targeted over the same weekend was St John's Middle School, in Watt Close.

Windows were smashed as thieves broke into the gym storage room, causing £500 worth of damage.

A police spokesman said: "We are treating the incidents at the church and nursing home as linked but are not linking the damage to St John's Middle School to the other incidents.

"There are several lines of inquiries that we are currently following up."

christopher.flavell

@midlands.newsquest.co.uk