Vandals targeting a church in Idle have now wrecked its new garden of remembrance, ripping up newly-lain turf and borders.

It was self-employed gardener David Wood who made the discovery as he turned up for work.

Mr Wood has been creating a small area for people to scatter loved ones’ ashes in a corner of the graveyard on Westfield Lane.

The latest trail of destruction is just one of a string of recent acts which have included graffiti being scrawled on church windows, condoms being left on its doorstep, beer bottles being smashed, a wheelie bin set on fire and youths spotted on the roof.

Church elder Brian Devitt said around £10,000 had been spent in the past year trying to enhance the grounds.

“We were thinking about putting a bench in the new garden for people to spend quiet time thinking about loved ones but now we’re having to think about CCTV cameras.

“What’s the point of us spending more money on good things that other people are going to disrespect and ruin? It’s very sad.”

Gardener Mr Wood said: “I don’t see the sense in it. The worst part is round all the new graves where all the flowers are, you would think they’d show some respect.

“I don’t know if it’s worth putting right if they are just going to rip it up again.”

And he added: “Last week on the same spot, the church wheelie bin was set alight. There’s a lot been going on recently. A couple of weeks ago the police caught someone on the church roof.”

He joined Mr Devitt in appealing to passers-by, in particular regular dog-walkers, to report anything suspicious to police.

He said: “We believe it is local youths who are doing this in their own community and we need people to be vigilant so we can put a stop to it.”

Anyone with information should contact Bradford North police on 0845 6060606.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths @telegraphandargus.co.uk