POLICE have expressed their frustration at not being able to access hospital records as part of their investigation into the criminal damage caused at St John's Church, Devizes.

Two windows at the 12th century church in Long Street were smashed some time between 11.30pm on August 31 and 8.30am on September 1. The damage caused is worth between £2,000 and £,3,000.

Bloodstains were left at the scene and the police have taken samples for DNA analysis and will be checking the national DNA database.

The police contacted Devizes Hospital after learning that a person went there for treatment to cuts to the hand at about midnight on the Saturday of the offence.

But the hospital's policy is not to tell the police the identity of patients unless it is a serious crime.

Inspector Pete Bowerbank of Devizes Police said: "We have no power to demand production of medical records. If we are investigating a serious offence we can apply to a court to get medical information released but it's down to the discretion of a judge.

"Serious offences are murder, rape and manslaughter. Offences such as criminal damage are not covered.

"It's frustrating but it is the rules we have to abide by."

The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, which runs Devizes Hospital, said in a statement: "All information relating to patients which we hold is confidential and covered by the Data Protection Act.

"There are some exceptional circumstances in which information may be given to the police, usually on the production of a court order."

Anyone with information about the crime should contact Devizes Police on (01380) 722141.