Hateful thieves have left a message to the LGBT+ community after a pride flag was stolen from a Badshot Lea church for the second time in a fortnight.

St Mark’s has once against been dealing with vandals and thieves after opening to open its doors to the LGBT+ community.

A replacement Pride flag was attached to the church’s exterior in open support for the LGBT+ community after the original was stolen.

But the second was stolen on Sunday, June 30 - and this time the culprits left a message of hate speech in graffiti on the church’s noticeboard.

Churchgoers have reported the incidents to the police with witnesses and anyone with information urged to call 101 quoting 45240074168.

“I feel very worried by the intolerance that this behaviour indicates and, in particular, that someone felt that it was acceptable to write graffiti which was full of hatred for LGBT+ people,” said the disappointed Revd Stella Wiseman.

“I think people are frightened of the changes in society or feel powerless and therefore want to hit out at vulnerable people.

“I think people are frightened of the changes in society or perhaps people feel powerless and therefore want to hit out at vulnerable groups.

“I know that there are churches which do not welcome LGBT+ people and I believe that this is a misunderstanding of the love of God and a misreading of the bible.

“Unfortunately this has given people the idea that it is ok to be prejudiced. It is not, and the parish of Badshot Lea and Hale continues to welcome all to the church.

“If anyone would like to come and talk to me about this and explore any of the theology behind the church’s stance I am easy to get a hold of via the church website”