The Moonies have launched a massive recruitment drive in Watford. Members of the controversial Unification Church have been trying to convert shoppers in the High Street.

They have been inviting people to special courses and distributing leaflets on their religion.

But the handouts make no mention of the church’s sinister conversion techniques, branded as brainwashing by many who have been duped by the movement.

And they do not reveal how members are told to cut off their families and hand over possessions to the church.

One shopper who was confronted by the Moonies said: “People should be warned not to get involved.

“It is outrageous that this kind of indoctrination is allowed in our town.

“The Moonies are a dangerous organisation who try to appear harmless.”

A spokesman at the church’s London headquarters said: “We are keen to recruit everywhere.

“We have no official church in Watford but we have members who are always keen to hear from anyone who wants to join.”

Watford’s church community was horrified to hear of the Moonies campaign in the town.

Stunned vicar the Rev John Smith, minister of Trinity Methodist Church, warned young people to steer clear of the Unification Church and its brainwashing.

“This church does not allow people a natural response to God’s loving actions in their daily life.

“They indoctrinate in a very subtle kind of way. They take away people’s own will and give them a corporate kind of identity in Mr Moon.

“I think that is actually opposed to Christianity.”

The Rev Norman Moore, vicar of St Andrew’s Church in Watford, spoke of families’ heartache when their children get involved with the Moonies.

He slammed the sect after hearing of their activities in the town.

He said: “We must think what are the ways in which we can protect the vulnerable. The problem is there is deception and unfair pressure.

“When you get lunatic fringes it is always difficult to take them seriously until you get to know of a family who has lost someone.

“It is difficult to legislate against this sort of thing in a free society.”

[From the Watford Observer of March 11, 1988