A man spraying paint on the side of St Michael’s Church in front of shocked shoppers on Friday afternoon

A SHOCKED New Journal reader snapped a “tagger” in the act on Friday afternoon ­– spray painting the wall of a church in broad daylight.

The picture was taken at St Michael’s Church in Camden Town as people came in and out of the Sainsbury’s supermarket next door.

“I think people were frightened to challenge the guy because there were three blokes there,” the onlooker said. “It’s just amazing such needless vandalism which makes the area look crap can happen in front of your eyes.”

Councillor Pat Callaghan ward councillor for Camden Town said: “Is nothing sacred anymore? Surely places of worship should be left without being graffitied. I think it’s totally disrespectful and would hope that people learn lessons from this and do not deface very important religious buildings.

“There are so many other areas for graffiti – it shouldn’t be a place of worship.” She said she would be making enquiries to get the paint removed.

Richard Cotton, a former ward councillor, said: “Camden Town is full of wonderful street art but there is a difference between street art and just spraying stuff on walls, which is what this is. It’s hardly artistic.

“St Michael’s is such a beautiful church that really is a part of the community. I hope it’s not the start of loads of tagging again, because we had that a few years back. There are worse things in terms of anti-social behaviour but the problem with it is that when it arises it gives the impression of an area that is out of control and makes people feel unsettled.”

It comes as parish vicar Father Michael Thomas has resigned from St Michael’s following a period of ill health.

Nick Price CBE, church warden at St Michael’s said that for the past few months the church has been unable to open for private prayer during the week, but that this was only temporary.

He added that local groups continue to use the church most evenings, as well as the Makers Market on Saturdays and have continued Sunday services throughout Fr Michael’s absence. Cllr Callaghan said: “I’m sending my best wishes to Fr Michael, from the community it’s very sad he has had to resign. He will be missed by the community in Camden.”