VANDALS have been asked to "show some respect" after a Pride flag and bunting were stolen from a Worcestershire church.
St Andrew's Church, in Pershore, saw its bunting and flag in celebration of Pride stolen across two days over the weekend.
Dan Boatright, county councillor for Pershore, said that the vandalism of the Pride decorations would have "such an impact" on the LGBTQ community in the area.
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Huge thank you to Trudy for decorating St Andrews this weekend. Shame some idiots nicked the flag & tore down the bunting but I'll use it as an excuse to get you some giant flags for next year! @worcesternews @bbchw @tomedwardsbbchw pic.twitter.com/Nc8iZR9DxN
— Dan Boatright 🔶 (@PershoreDan) July 2, 2022
He said: "This was directly in the public eye, and even if it was not directly anti-LGBTQ+, it will still have such an impact on the community.
"It could well have just been mindless vandalism but many people still keep their sexuality quiet due to archaic thoughts.
"We are a small and tolerant community in Pershore so behaviour like this has no place."
Cllr Boatright shared that he has been made aware of cases of homophobic bullying in the Pershore area.
He said: "I have been made aware of low levels of homophobic bullying at schools in Pershore and an increase in poor behaviour.
"It is never acceptable for vandalism like this to take place and I think the people involved need to show some respect.
"People have asked me in the past why Pride is important and reasons like this are precisely why it is."
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The bunting was stolen on Friday, July 1, with Cllr Boatright saying some eyewitnesses saw two men with the bunting after it was ripped from the church.
The flag was stolen on Saturday, July 2, and it is not currently known who may have been involved.
Cllr Boatright said: "The church is regularly decorated by volunteers in the Pershore community.
They have done some amazing work for the Platinum Jubilee and for Remembrance day in the past.
"I cannot help but wonder if people would do the same sort of vandalism for military decorations or the Platinum Jubilee.
"It is just mindless, people need to really get a grip."
St Andrews Church hosts a wide variety of activities for the Pershore community, with parts of the building dating back to 1170.
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