A THIEF stole video filming equipment bought so church services could continue during this desperate time of need.

Priest of St Vincent de Paul Church Father Andrew Pastore discovered a camera, worth over £1,000 was taken sometime on Saturday from his office at his home in Over Hulton.

Now an appeal for information has been made to try to locate the camera, which had been used in church to live stream services after the decision of the Catholic Bishops Conference all public services in church had been stopped until further notice.

Now services are having to continue with the use of just one camera.

Hundreds of people have been watching the services from St Vincent de Paul's Church, Newbrook Road, from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

The camera was taken sometime late Saturday afternoon.

Father Andrew said: "I think the person has come through the window.

"I was working by my computer on the live stream for that evening. I had gone upstairs for some exercise and when I came back to the office at the camera had gone.

"I think it was an opportunist theft. It was only the camera which had gone.

"The camera, which was very expensive, had been bought especially so the services could be live streamed."

He added: "Initially I was disappointed and frustrated, but the solidarity I have received has been phenomenal.

"I don't know whether the person was a 'Jack the lad' or was desperate and couldn't make ends meet. These are exceptional times.

"I work with the homeless and I know their life has not got easier."

He is appealing for anyone with information about the camera to contact the police or said the camera could be left at church.

Fortunately, services can still go on during Holy Week, with Father Andrew delivering a special Palm Sunday service from the church yesterday.

"We have two cameras, so the live streaming is going ahead, albeit in a different format," said Father Andrew, who said he was delighted with the number of people watching it.

He said: "At a weekend I would normally have 200 people, but I have had 700 people watching the live stream, which means a lot."

Delivering his blessing last night, Father Andrew said: "One of our cameras unfortunately has been stolen, something that is not going to put us off.

"When I look at the statistics on the viewings, this video is helping quite a few people, which is great."

Anyone who saw anything suspicious around Newbrook Road or has CCTV footage should contact the police on 101.

To watch the church services visit https://stvincentsbolton.org/ or visit the church's Facebook page St Vincent's RC Church, Bolton