Father Gareth Jones, who pastors St Mary the Virgin church in Ilford, East London, is wondering if it is safe to continue having Sunday services because of two recent incidents, Breitbart reports.

They involved the burning of a wooden cross in the church’s graveyard and a threat to burn down the church, which was constructed in 1831.

“We found a charred cross propped up against the wall of the church, still warm from where it had been set alight… we’ve always had antisocial behavior in the area, but this is an escalation following on from a threat to burn down the church a few weeks ago,” Vicar Jones told Breitbart.

There has been a significant increase in homeless people moving into the area in recent years. And many who are suffering from drug addiction and mental health issues are becoming increasingly aggressive.

Father Jones added that his congregation has also been dismayed by the government and police department’s dismissal of the threats. And due to the increasing threats in the area, he noted that government officials who are responsible for maintaining the graveyard, now treat it as a ‘no-go area.’

READ: London Church in Shock After Wooden Cross Burnt in Graveyard Following Threats to Burn Down Church

Meanwhile, in New York City: We must get the mentally ill off subways — for our safety and theirs