Theft of church Pride banner reported as hate crime

A vicar has spoken of her sadness after a welcome banner for new students which featured the Pride flag was cut down and stolen by a member of the public.

The Reverend Helena Roulston from St Mark's Church in the Sheffield suburb of Broomhill said the incident had been reported as a hate crime.

The church is popular with young people and had erected the banner to welcome new students to the city five days before it was taken away in broad daylight on 21 September.

Roulston said the news "came as quite a shock", but revealed members of the church's congregation had told her it was not the first time Pride flags displayed outside the church had been taken down.

"It's just so sad in this day and age," she added.

"We all disagree with things and we have different opinions and that's absolutely fine - and I think that builds a healthy community and a healthy society - [but] to take this step of actually cutting down the banner sends a different message."

Roulston said the church had since put up a new, identical flag to reafirm their commitment to welcoming everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community.

"The message is obviously exactly the same - that you are more than welcome at St Mark's."

The vicar, who joined the church in April, added: "Over the last few months since I have been there it's been a really wonderful community, they are really welcoming and fulling embracing of difference, of all backgrounds, and it feels like a really homely space."

South Yorkshire Police has been contacted for comment.

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