A charity box containing money has been stolen from a church.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a charity box containing money was stolen from the entrance of St Mary’s Church in Baldock on Thursday, February 13.

The charity box was last seen on Thursday, February 13, but was noticed to be missing at around 3.40pm on the same day.

The theft was reported to police a week later as those tending to the church assumed that the cahrity box had been put away.

The charity box contained a quantity of cash and cheques and was 15 inches tall and six inches wide with yellow, cream, purple and pink flowers painted on the outside.

The box had been put there by Crouch Funeral Directors.

Investigating officer, PCSO Michelle Trussell said: “It was very callous of someone to steal a charity box in this manner. The charitable donations within the box were meant for St Mary’s Church and MND Connect - a helpline for people with Motor Neurone Disease.

“The charity box is very distinctive. I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed the box being taken, or someone acting suspiciously, to get in contact as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call PCSO Trussell on the non-emergency number 101, citing crime reference number G3/14/101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.