Police in California are searching for two men who allegedly stole a $50,000 (£37,350) bronze statue of Jesus from a Catholic church.

The Santa Ana Police Department said the church was targeted in the early hours of 30 August, when two men entered Christ Our Savior Catholic Church carrying a bag.

According to police, one of the suspects took an electric cutting tool from the bag before the pair cut through the bronze statue.

They then dragged the statue across the church grounds towards nearby Segerstrom High School, where police believe they had a vehicle waiting.

The suspects loaded the statue into the vehicle before driving away.

The artwork, which depicts Jesus with his hands clasped in prayer near John the Baptist, was left with only its bronze feet still attached to the stone base.

The police department said: “Unfortunately, this church was targeted once again, but this time, two suspects successfully stole a $50,000 bronze statue of Jesus.”

The latest theft follows an earlier incident at the church in April, when suspects reportedly damaged wooden fencing and cut portions of the same statue.

Police have released surveillance footage and are appealing to the public for information that could help identify the two suspects.