CCTV cameras installed at historic parish church

CCTV cameras have been installed at the historic St Mary’s Church, Lymm following a number of attacks by vandals.
Cameras now cover various parts of the church, including the porch where a bench and a decorative white urn were completely destroyed and it is suspected drug-taking has occurred.
The cameras have been provided, free of charge, by Paul Widdrington, managing director of locally based company DSIS Solutions.
Rector, the Rev Beverley Jameson said: “This is a most generous donation and will protect the church in the future.
“St Mary’s is immensely grateful to Paul. I cannot express my thanks and the thanks of everyone at St Mary’s highly enough to Paul and everyone at DSIS Solutions for this generous donation. To see our church damaged and disrespected was very distressing to our congregation and many members of the wider Lymm community.  It also goes to show that the wonderful community of Lymm cares and supports one another. We have the appropriate permissions and policies in place and the cameras are operational to record activity around the church. We will have evidence to pass onto the police should any future vandalism occur. However I hope that the presence of CCTV cameras around the church will deter any further damage”
Criminal damaged has occurred at the church on various occasions – most notably the destruction of the bench and decorative urn in the porch.
Empty packets were found and it was suspected drugs were being taken in the porch. This was reported to the police.
There has also been some minor damage to other areas around the church.
The Rector added: “St Mary’s has severe financial challenges to maintain the church building and the church hall in the coming years. Although people have generously donated and there is still an intention to have gates to the porch at some point, the funding gap and the requirements to apply for faculty permission means this will not happen for some time.
“Gates only protect the porch but do not help in protecting other parts of the building.”
Mr Widdrington said:“I took offence at hoodlums targeting St Marys and damaging a place of worship multiple times.
“We have family and friends laid to rest in the church yard which made it feel closer to home. It is sad that a mindless minority can cause these issues anywhere let alone a church. Let’s hope the cameras deter any further vandalism”
St Mary’s is a Grade 2 Listed building. The present church dates from 1851, but it is the fourth church to have occupied the site.