HINDUS have called for more to be done to protect their places of worship after a break-in at Swindon's temple.

News of burglars stealing thousands of pounds and vandalising a sacred altar of deities has sent shockwaves around the world.

An American representative of the Hindu community, Universal Society of Hinduism president Rajan Zed in Nevada said: "It's appalling for Hindus worldwide to hear about such incidents happening to a Hindu house of worship and causing heartbreak to the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful area Hindu community who received such signals of hatred and intimidation.

"British Hindus have made lots of contributions to the nation and society."

This is the fifth time the temple, which caters for 20,000 Hindus in the Swindon area, has been burgled.

Mr Zed called on Swindon and UK political figures - including secretary of state for communities Robert Jenrick, South West Councils chief executive Bryony Houlden, Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer and Swindon mayor Garry Perkins - to "launch swift action" which would prevent future break-ins happening.

He added: "Adequate security measures should be in place to protect the British Hindu population and Hindu temples in United Kingdom.

"This clearly was an attack on religious freedom of which the United Kingdom was very proud.

He suggested that as an inter-faith gesture, members and area leaders of the Church of England, Roman Catholic Church, and other religions and denominations should strongly condemn the vandalising of the temple and visit the site to show their solidarity with Hindus.

The Swindon Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre is run by the Swindon Hindu Temple Trust.