St Paul's in Oadby also lowered walls and erected signs so people would know the buildings were church property.

The move was encouraged by Churchwatch, a national group which gets churches to team together and open more facilities for local people.

They claim churches suffer less vandalism if they are left unlocked but are manned during the day.

Self defence

Built in 1970s in the heart of a housing estate, the church is now having a new lease of life as a community centre.

Vivian James, deputy chief warden, said: "We haven't had a broken window now for 13 months.

"There are people here a lot of the time, if you go into a building and you use it, you partly own it."

Their experiences were backed up by Churchwatch which offers support and training for people who want to help open up their churches to the public.

As well as guidance they offer self defence and personal safety advice for the volunteers.

Nick Tolson, from the group, said: "A busy church is a safe church.

"If you lock your church people will know that it's locked and they then damage things outside.

"They just get constant crime but if you open your doors then people do come in."