THE police in Pinetown have urged churchgoers to be vigilant and tighten security measures at the parking lots of their places of worship following incidents of car theft.

In the months of May and April, four cases of car theft from church parking lots were reported at the Pinetown Police Station, the police said.

The station’s communications officer, Jennifer Naidu, said these incidents had reportedly taken place on Bamboo Lane, another on Payne Street, one on Maurice Nichols Road, and a reported incident at an estate in Ashley.

Three of these incidents, said Naidu, occurred on Sundays in broad daylight, while one was on Easter Friday.

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“One complainant, who reported having ensured their vehicle was properly locked before going into the church, said they saw their car driving away from the church parking lot as they were coming out of the service,” said Naidu.

This complainant, Naidu said, attempted to follow his vehicle using another owned by a fellow congregant but lost track of it near the M19 and could not say whether it took the route of the M7 or the M13.

“The police are investigating the modus operandi behind these incidents and whether there may be any linkages between the reported cases. Churchgoers are urged to remain vigilant and ensure that adequate security measures are in place at church parking areas,” said Naidu.

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