A STOURBRIDGE church has been left without the ability to play recorded music at funerals following a burglary in which a computer tablet was stolen.

Police say they have been reviewing CCTV following the incident which happened at St Thomas' Church at around 2.30pm on Sunday January 31.

No items of historical value were taken in the raid - just a small tablet computer, but Reverend Andrew Sillis, vicar of St Thomas', told the News it is used to control the church's PA system.

He said: "Without it, we can’t amplify voices or play recorded music at funerals - the only services we can hold at the moment."

The town centre church in Market Street remains open for private prayer at certain times during the week, despite the coronavirus lockdown, and people often pop in for a moment of quiet reflection, Rev Sillis said.

He added: "We think it is an important resource for the mental and spiritual health of our community. We’re always getting messages of thanks from people, just for opening the door. The thief was very fortunate not to have been disturbed, because there are usually people in the church."

St Thomas Church is having restoration work done to its stonework as parts are crumbling. Pic - Paul Jackson

St Thomas Church is having restoration work done to its stonework as parts are crumbling. Pic - Paul Jackson

He said the church has CCTV and the footage has been shared with police but he added: "Replacing the stolen item will probably cost us ten times what it is worth to the thief. Local churches like ours are the local community; so when folk steal from a church, they’re stealing from their community, their neighbours, their family. St Thomas’ Church was built by public subscription in the 18th century, and generations of Stourbridge residents have contributed to its work."

Despite the theft and the pandemic, he is encouraging people to pop into the church when they're in town.

He said: "Five minutes taken to sit, take in the peaceful atmosphere and enjoy this special place is good for the soul, and helps to protect our heritage for generations to come."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police urged anyone with any information about the burglary to contact officers via Live Chat online on the force website or to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 and quote crime reference number 20DY/30353B/21.