RCMP say they have confirmed the existence of a new criminal trend in Saskatchewan. Since the beginning of the year, there is a significant increase in breaking and entering, thefts, mischief and attempted breaking and entering into churches.

From January to November, 64 of these have occurred in 55 churches across Saskatchewan. This represents an increase of 60 percent in break-ins in churches in Saskatchewan since last year.

RCMP claim nothing indicates these crimes are motivated by hate, racism or ideology.

In most of these incidents, the doors of the church have been opened by force at night. Items such as money, electronics, computers, guitars, safes, freezers and refrigerators were stolen.

The majority occurred in Central Saskatchewan. The churches in this area have seen an increase of 173 percent in break-ins since last year.

Monica Deters, the crime analyst who compiled and discovered the extent of the break-in increase says, “This new criminal trend is noticeable because these break-ins happened all year and across Saskatchewan. It is imperative that we all get involved to better secure these buildings.”

RCMP are asking everyone to help make church buildings more secure:

Stay alert, especially at night, and report any suspicious activity around churches to your local RCMP detachment or police service.

If you are a resident, keep an eye on your community’s churches and ensure your religious representatives know about this new increase of break-ins into churches.

If you are a community representative, find ways to discuss the possibility of repurposing and managing abandoned churches in your community.

If you are a church caretaker, lock the doors when the church is empty, secure the objects of value of the church in a locked space, note the identifying features and serial numbers of the electronics and household items of the church and install motion-detector lights, alarms and/or security cameras around the church.

Don’t hesitate to call your local RCMP detachment to talk about the security of your church and to learn how to make it more secure. To find your local RCMP detachment phone number, go here.