CROOKS trashed a Maldon church in an overnight raid but left empty handed.

Maldon Methodist Church in High Street was targeted by the thieves overnight last Monday. The burglars entered through a side door before carrying out a search inside.

Church members discovered the break-in on Tuesday morning and had to call of events and meetings planned as a result.

The church, which celebrated 150 years in Maldon in 2012, has not been targeted before.

The Rev Sue King said: “There was a bit of a mess but as far as we can see nothing has been taken.

“Some locks have been ripped off and cupboards gone through.

“It happened overnight on Monday – someone was in the church in the early evening and then someone went in on Tuesday morning and found it.”

The Rev King said the church initially thought they had been after metal to melt down and sell on.

“But the metal items weren’t touched,” she said.

The church holds various weekday activities for children including youth clubs and meetings for elderly people, and is now in the process of cleaning up.

The Rev King said: “We have had the shed out the back broken into a couple of times but not into the church since I have been minister there and I have been here six years.

“There is still a mess to clear up but we are back up and running. It has been a nuisance more than anything.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Thieves broke in via a side door between 4.30pm on Monday, April 18, and 10.15am the next day and made a messy search of building. It is not yet known if anything was stolen.”

Anyone with any information should contact police in Maldon on 101.