"IT IS a despicable act."

These are the words of one community leader after Romsey Abbey, Church Lane, was burgled this week - which has been broken into for the second time in two months.

At 3.38am on Monday [December 14], a person gained entry to the place of worship through a broken stained glass window.

According to Hampshire police, collection tins were stolen from the abbey, containing cash.

Now, security around the abbey is being beefed up and CCTV footage is being reviewed in a bid to catch the culprit.

Cllr Nik Daas, who represents Romsey Abbey on Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), slammed the criminal for targetting the iconic building.

He said: "It is a despicable act by someone who has no morals to target a place of worship and steal collection tins.

"At Christmas time there is an increase in the number of burglaries, so we all need to remain vigilant to protect our town.

"If people are walking down the street or driving down the road and they spot anything they think is odd they should report it to the police on 101."

Cllr Mark Cooper, who represents Romsey Tadburn on TVBC, added he is surprised someone had the "impertinence to break into the abbey".

Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, who represents the Romsey Cupernham ward, believes it will cost "an arm and a leg" to replace the stained glass window in the abbey.

She said: "It is not like calling up someone and asking them to replace a normal window, this will take much longer and will be far more expensive to repair."

Ms Baverstock added she believes there is a gang targetting Romsey after "around 12 vehicles by Romsey Abbey" were damaged by vandals between Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12, according to Hampshire police.

She said: "For the last three years, Romsey Town Council has been paying for protection officers during the daytime, because there are always pick-pockets and shoplifters around especially during December.

"As we are already doing that, maybe the police could be more active in the evening?"

A spokesperson from Hampshire police said anyone with information about the burglary should call 101, quoting 44200481190

Romsey Abbey has been contacted for comment.