Vandals force historic priory to close

Security guards have been drafted in to protect grade I listed Monk Bretton Priory in Barnsley, and police are investigating two break-ins in which youths left a trail of destruction.

Yesterday, the gates to the property, which is owned and managed by English Heritage, were firmly locked to keep out troublemakers, while visitors unaware of the closure were turned away.

The site is free to access and has minimal supervision from staff, which left it open to attacks over the past couple of weeks including the worst damage, which happened on Tuesday.

A English Heritage spokesman said: “We are very sad that on Tuesday afternoon, Monk Bretton Priory was broken into. The building, dating back to the 13th century, suffered extensive damage.

“Iron bars were chiselled out of the windows causing significant damage to the stone lintels and there was also significant damage to a historic oak door, which has had holes smashed through it. Unfortunately, this is the second break-in to the property in less than a week. The first break-in occurred on Thursday August 18 where another oak door was damaged.

“The police attended on both occasions and we are working with them on their investigation.

“As a result of these two break-ins, together with an increasing amount of anti-social behaviour surrounding the property, the site will now be closed to visitors until Monday September 5.”

Meanwhile, police in Leeds yesterday also revealed that they had forced five youths to clean up Hunslet Cemetery after they were found damaging gravestones.

The three boys and two girls, aged between 12 and 16, admitted the damage after being caught in the cemetery by officers from the Rothwell neighbourhood policing team.