A church in Kent has had its glass lantern roof repeatedly smashed by vandals firing catapults.

The incidents at the joint United Reformed and Methodist Church in Sheerness are believed to have been carried out by young people aiming at pigeons on the church’s roof – and have been ongoing since February.

Services are now having to be held in the building’s café because shards of glass are being found on carpets, chairs and the communion table on a daily basis.

The lantern structure was added to the 143 year old church twenty years ago and insurers estimate the repairs could cost thousands of pounds. In the meantime, the windows are likely to be boarded up to protect worshippers.

PC Alison Honess, of Kent Police, said catapult vandalism is a nationwide issue and “not isolated to Sheerness”, but added that “it causes reckless damage and instils 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," she added.

In June 2025 Kent Police launched a catapult crackdown after receiving an average of 14 contacts a day relating to the use or possession of catapults.

The force said at the time it understands “that incidents are likely to be under-reported and are therefore committed to tackling this issue head-on”.

A Kent Police spokesman said there would be an increased police presence in the area while the incidents are investigated.