Church is forced to move service to nearby cafe after catapult-wielding youths 'fire ball bearings through windows' as they aim for pigeons

Published: 17:51, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 17:54, 28 July 2026 A 143-year-old church has been forced to move its service to a nearby cafe because of youths catapulting objects at pigeons through the windows. Sunday services at the joint United Reformed and Methodist church in Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey were put on hold amid concerns glass was 'continually showering down onto people'. The congregation, led by minister Lynne Le Masonry, was relocated yesterday into the building's Lighthouse Café for safety. Ms Le Masonry said the church has now been forced to consider installing 'bulletproof' glass.  She added: 'We have been subjected to vandalism from young people since February. 'They have been shooting ball bearings from catapults through our windows. We think they are aiming at the pigeons, which is really sad and awful.' 'At first, we were managing but now we have made the decision that it is too unsafe to worship in the church because the glass is still continually showering down onto people. 'Every day we go in and find new shards of glass all over the place, over the chairs, on the carpets and on the communion table. We have had to come out of the church and into the coffee shop. But the congregation doesn't like it. It's not right and it's not comfortable.' Sunday services at the joint United Reformed and Methodist church were put on hold amid concerns glass was 'continually showering down onto people' Lynne Le Masonry said: 'We have been subjected to vandalism from young people since February' The United Reformed and Methodist Church (pictured) has been forced to move its service to a nearby cafe because of youths catapulting objects at piegons through the windows There are now plans to replace the damaged glass in the lantern of the roof, which was added to the 143-year-old church in 2006, with a 'bulletproof' alternative.  Ms Le Masonry said: 'The insurance company understands the situation and has said it will negotiate a safe alternative. But it is still likely it will cost thousands. Meanwhile, we are planning to board up the windows for safety's sake.' She said police had been informed. Asked what she thought of the vandals, Ms Le Masonry said: 'I don't think I'm allowed to say. It is sad they cannot find anything better to do than kill wildlife.  'It makes me extremely angry. I just wish there was some way we could stop this behaviour.  'It needs to be stopped, and it needs to be stopped now... It's not right.' Neighbourhood police officer PC Alison Honess told Sheerness Town Council officers were making all catapult incidents a 'priority'.  She urged members of the public to report incidents either using 999 in an emergency, 101 or the live chat function on the Kent Police website. Neighbourhood police officer PC Alison Honess told Sheerness Town Council officers were making all catapult incidents a 'priority'. The interior of the church is pictured Ms Honess said: 'This is a nationwide issue and not isolated to Sheerness. But the view of the police is the same - it will not be tolerated.  'It causes reckless damage and instills fear in the community. Although it is not currently illegal to possess a catapult in public, the weapons will be removed if anyone is found in possession of one without a lawful excuse. 'There continues to be reports of catapults being seen and used in the area but because of the resilience of members of the public contacting us, we are starting to see a reduction in reports of damage being caused. 'By reporting and getting patrols to the right places it is deterring many, but not all.' A force spokesman added residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area.