Places of worship now high priority for police patrols

NATIONAL Security Minister Stuart Young says places of worship have become high priority for police patrols in response to criminal activities that have targeted them.

He made the announcement while responding to a question in the Senate on Tuesday about robberies and sacrilege at religious places.

He said, "The Government and in particular the Ministry of National Security has noted with concern the criminal activities which targeted places of worship."

He has raised the issue with the police, he said, and the commissioner has indicated that in an effort to curtail further incidents, he has instructed all nine divisional commanders to ensure particular attention be given to places of worship on a daily basis.

"In these circumstances all mobile patrols now factor in places of worship as places of high priority for special attention.

"Additionally the newly formed Emergency Response Patrol Unit will be dealing with all emergency calls within minutes throughout TT."