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Salvation Chapel International in Essex Vandalized for Sixth Time Amid Ongoing Attacks
Salvation Chapel International in Laindon, Essex, was vandalized for the sixth time since July 2025, with damages estimated at £1,000 from the latest incident over Easter weekend. The attacks have caused total repair costs of £50,000, including a prior fire and anti-Christian graffiti. Pastor Daniel Berkoh-Gyamfi suspects involvement by property developers competing for the site.
Apr 8, 9:33 AM·2m read2 sources
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Salvation Chapel International, located in Laindon, Essex, west of Basildon, was vandalized for the sixth time over the Easter weekend in 2026. Perpetrators broke through boarded-up windows, disabled security cameras and internet connections, and stole tools valued at over £1,000. The incident incurred £1,000 in damages, contributing to cumulative repair costs of £50,000 since the attacks began.
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Pastor Daniel Berkoh-Gyamfi alerted police after his security camera detected movement in the early hours of Easter Sunday. Officers arrived promptly but classified the site as a commercial premises, forgoing forensic examination. They requested CCTV footage but left a discarded cigarette untested.
The church, purchased by Berkoh-Gyamfi in July 2025 after renting it since 2018, experienced no vandalism prior to the purchase offer.
The first incident occurred shortly after the offer was placed. By the time contracts were exchanged, vandals set the building alight, requiring four Essex Fire Brigade engines to extinguish the fire. The fire destroyed the interior, including sanitary facilities, the church hall, and a piano.
Anti-Christian graffiti referencing the ichthys symbol appeared on the walls, with phrases such as 'fish' and 'fisherman den'. Five prior attacks included this fire and other instances of damage. Berkoh-Gyamfi suspects the vandalism is orchestrated by developers who competed to buy the property.
He reported observing individuals in hooded tracksuits on church grounds late at night via CCTV. He expressed concern that attacks could continue once the church resumes operations, potentially endangering worshippers.
