Following a shocking robbery last month, parishioners of the St Philip’s Anglican Church are returning in their numbers and freely worshipping without the fear of being attacked by bandits, as there is now a constant police presence in the area.
Commander of A Division Clifton Hicken has confirmed that he is ensuring that patrols are maintained at the church services.
“At every service there is the presence of police, which we are heartened and encouraged by,” Priest Oswald Barnes said before adding that “most of the congregation have since returned.” Barnes, ex-pressing gratitude to the police force, noted that he had called Hicken to express thanks for the service provided.
Meanwhile, although several persons were arrested following the November robbery, no one was charged and an investigation into the robbery is still in progress, Hicken said.
Another senior member of the church also lauded the efforts of the police. He noted that they came and conducted investigations and members are happy with the move by the lawmen to ensure their security.
During a previous visit to the area Stabroek News was told that the robbery could easily have been a bloody scene, since a number of the church members are holders of licensed firearms but none of them was in the building at the time the robbery took place.
The member mentioned that due to the frequent robberies and crimes in the area, members were forced to carry hand guns to the place of worship.
Shortly before mass began on November 2nd, gunmen stormed the Werk-en-Rust church robbing several parishioners.
“Mass begins at 7:30 (am) and I just finish opening the doors and about 15 members were here sitting waiting when I saw this youth come up, push he hand in he waist, pull out a gun, point it at me and seh ‘Don’t move’ …then another one came with another gun and start taking away people married ring and so,” an employee of the church had recounted to Stabroek News.
One of the boys involved in the robbery, he said, appeared to be less than 13 years old while the others appeared to be around 16 and 17.
A woman who had been married for 36 years, had her wedding band pulled from her finger during the robbery, while another senior citizen was slapped in the face for giving one of the robbers artificial jewellery.
