Frequent break-ins at the Brown's Hall Pentecostal Church in Wayne Pass, St Catherine, have forced the church to install an alarm system.

While this action is not one that is normally taken by churches, it apparently prevented thieves from robbing the sanctuary again on Monday night.

"It was the church alarm system that went off, why the criminals did not enter last night," an officer from the Brown's Hall Police Station told THE STAR yesterday. "Last week they broke into the same church and stole a keyboard."

THE STAR was informed that at least four churches in the community have been broken into over the last month. Some of these places of worship have been reportedly broken into more than once.

"Bwoy dem tief computer, guitar, amplifier and anything dem see. As fi di Pentecostal Church it look like a weekly dem want do it," a policewoman said. "Dem broke in a one church one night inna di week and by di weekend dem go back."

The police said the criminals normally gain entry through the church windows and use them as exit with the loot.

lack of respect

"Mi nuh know how dem have di heart fi do it. Mi hear bout di church dem yes, man a thief computer and all kind a ting," a 25-year-old resident from the community said when asked about the seeming lack of respect for churches in the community.

As for who may be responsible, the police say they are yet to identify anyone, but promised to be more vigilant in their efforts to monitor the areas where the churches are located.

A minister of religion who spoke on condition of anonymity said he hopes that the police will be successful in catching those who are tampering with the works of the Lord.