CRIMINAL thugs have targeted Bolton churches more than 50 times in just six months, the BEN can reveal tonight.

In a worrying crimewave, chapels and church halls have been broken into, burgled and vandalised -- leaving religious bosses with a huge repair bill and spiralling insurance costs.

The BEN today reveals the true extent of the town's church crime problem a day after we highlighted historic Bank Street Chapel's battle against burglars.

The non-conformist chapel dating from 1672 has been broken into four times in seven months, with minister Rev Tony McNeile vowing no forgiveness until the criminals are brought to justice.

And today the Vicar of Bolton, the Rev Michael Williams, agreed with the minister's sentiments as he learned of the crime tally against Bolton's churches.

Rev Williams, who has been in his post for 18 months, said: "I think sadness is my greatest feeling because this problem is stopping Bolton's churches fulfilling their mission. We want more people to come in and use the facilities but sometimes you get the feeling that people are coming in to spy out the land. It's as if they're 'reccying' the joint.

"The only thing we can do as churches is to staff the building when it is open. At the parish church we try to ensure two people are on duty whenever it is open."

His concerns were voiced after police chiefs confirmed that 57 criminal acts had been recorded against Bolton's churches since May.

The catalogue of crime has seen volunteer workers' handbags being snatched, ornate windows smashed and York paving stolen from memorial gardens in churches across Bolton. In one shocking incident at the Emmanuel Church on Cannon Street, Deane, a congregation member was even subjected to indecent exposure.

The Bolton North police sub-division saw 42 incidents logged, including 15 burglaries, seven car break-ins, three thefts and the remainder criminal damage. In past years special seminars have been run by Bolton police to help church leaders ensure the buildings are secured against intruders.

Representatives from the Home Office's crime prevention college have also spoken to vicars, priests and ministers about the church crime problem. Now concerns are growing that the thugs are turning their attention on the religious property as increased home security makes house break-ins more tough.

A police spokesman added: "This is just a regular occurence because these buildings are such easier targets. They are vulnerable properties which are being subjected to mindless violence.

"The more home security is upgraded then the more thefts will centre on these vulnerable properties. Coupled with this churches are often stand-alone buildings which mean offenders are less likely to be disturbed or apprehended."