THE Revd Kevin Scully, Rector of St Matthew’s, Bethnal Green, in east London, was beaten up last week after he confronted a group of youths over a ball.
Mr Scully is the second priest in the borough to be assaulted by teenagers in a churchyard in the last two months.
In March, the Revd Michael Ainsworth, Rector of St George’s-in-the-East in Shadwell, was attacked by a group of Asian youths after he asked them to keep the noise down in his churchyard (News, 21 March). That attack was recorded as a “faith hate” crime, but Mr Scully said police were recording the latest attack as a violent assault.
He said the attack, which left him with two black eyes and cuts and bruises, took place three days after he confiscated the assailants’ ball, which they were throwing at a crucifix in the churchyard.
Mr Scully said that five churchyards in the borough had experienced problems with anti-social behaviour.
Church representatives have met Tower Hamlets Council and the police to discuss security issues in churchyards, with an audit currently taking place over improvements, which may include CCTV.
The Revd Alan Green, Area Dean of Tower Hamlets, said it was “vital” that the Church in east London continued to work with the police authorities and the council to ensure that churchyards remained open “for the enjoyment of the entire local community”. |
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