A church has had to be locked throughout the day after plants left at a funeral service were stolen. 

The incident happened sometime between Sunday, July 30, and Monday July 21 at St Andrew’s Church in Barningham, north of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said an individual or group of people entered the church and pulled plants from pots left at a funeral service, rolled up a carpet, interfered with the church organ and threw away sweet wrappers.

The church has now had to be locked up during the day. 

Members of the community have also reported issues with young people gathering in the churchyard.

Police are patrolling the area and ask that anyone who witnessed any of these incidents or who has any information contacts Suffolk Police, quoting crime reference number 37/44657/23.