A SUFFOLK church whose minister turned the other cheek to vandals has been struck again by yobs bent on mindless destruction.Hooligans targeted the Baptist Church in Ipswich's Nansen Road for the second time in four days on Christmas Eve when they smashed a window.

By Lisa Baxter

A SUFFOLK church whose minister turned the other cheek to vandals has been struck again by yobs bent on mindless destruction.

Hooligans targeted the Baptist Church in Ipswich's Nansen Road for the second time in four days on Christmas Eve when they smashed a window.

Days earlier, on December 20, vandals emptied bins behind the place of worship, pulling down shutters and smashing a stained glass window.

The latest attacks come after the Evening Star told of the church's minister was responding to a sustained campaign of vandalism by turning the other cheek to the thugs.

In November, The Reverend John Sacre told of his determination to let the yobs know his door is always open to them and spoke of his wish to build bridges with the young vandals who continue to target his church and congregation.

The problems have been going on for around a year and have involved the disruption of services and destruction of property which has forced thousands of pounds to be spent on securing the building with iron grilles and security lighting.

Last month, one of the church workers was attacked with a fire extinguisher during a service.

Anyone with information about the latest church vandalism, which happened between noon and 4pm on Monday, December 24, and between 9pm and 11pm on Thursday, December 20, should contact Pc Martin Sheeran at Ipswich police station on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.