HALIFAX -- Police are urging extra vigilance after a string of break-ins at several churches in Dartmouth, N.S., last week.

Halifax Regional Police confirm a total of six places of worship were broken into between Sept. 15 and Sept 20.

On Thursday, police released a surveillance video taken near the South End Baptist Church, located on Hastings Dr.

The video, which shows two potential suspects, was taken moments before the church’s backdoor was broken into, early in the morning of Sept. 18.

“Right now we have two people in those videos who are persons of interest at this time,” says Const. Alicia Joseph of Halifax Regional Police.

Police hope the video of the suspects may bring in information, even from somebody recognizing how one of the individuals was walking.

The break-in at South End Baptist is one of six that occurred last week.

  • Overnight Sept. 17-18: Lutheran Church Of Our Saviour, 255 Portland St.
  • Overnight Sept. 17-18: Church Of The Holy Spirit, 1 Regency Dr.
  • Sometime between Sept. 15 and 19: Saint Anthony's Parish Hall, 27 Farrell St.
  • Overnight Sept. 19-20: Grace Baptist Church. 51 Athorpe Dr.
  • Reported on Sept. 20: St. James United Church, 181 Portland St.

“At this time I can tell you that at least one of the churches, there has been some vandalism, some electronics were stolen, and a sum of cash was taken,” says Joseph.

A few of the churches hit had just begun to host a congregation again after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We do understand this can be very upsetting to not only members of the congregation community, but also within the communities these churches are in,” says Joseph.

“I don’t think the people go to church,” speculates Al Wagner, who lives near two of the churches broken into. “There’s just no money in the church. I went to church last week and only 20 people were in our church.”

“At this time I can tell you that at least one of the churches, there has been some vandalism, some electronics were stolen, and a sum of cash was taken,” says Joseph.

Police wouldn’t say Dartmouth churches are being targeted, but do recommend churches and their neighbours take extra vigilance.

“Leave lights on, make sure doors are locked and again, we ask members of the public to come forward, if they see any suspicious activity within or around these churches,” says Joseph.

Anyone with information about the church break-ins is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.