A DEFIBRILLATOR thought to have been stolen in Cirencester last week was actually 'missing' as it was used for a medical emergency in the town.

Police launched an appeal for information after the equipment was removed from outside the Methodist church on Ashcroft Road, Cirencester.

Ashcroft Church has since confirmed that the defibrillator wasn’t stolen.

A spokesman for the church said: "Sometime between December 8 and December 11, the defibrillator at Ashcroft Church was removed.

"It was however returned on December 12 by 2.30pm.

"As it was 'out' for an extended period it was logged as 'missing' with the local police.

"We understand there was a medical emergency in town and it was taken in case it was required.

"It then needed to be checked to see if it had been used, as new pads etc would need to be added to the unit at which point the church could announce it was available for use again."

The church added it was pleased that the unit was used in a potentially life threatening situation, which is why the centre raised money for it to be used in the community.

There are a number of defibrillator units across Cirencester now for use by people but it is important that units are returned as quickly as possible after use to ensure they are available for others and no-one suddenly finds they are at a location when the unit is missing.