Police caution churches against excessive noise levels

Madina, Oct. 18, GNA - The Madina District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police David Eklu on Sunday cautioned churches to reduce their noise levels while conducting church service.

He said under the Criminal Code it was an offence for persons to make loud noise in a manner that caused annoyance or disturbance to other inhabitants.

Chief Superintendent Eklu was speaking during a Community Safety Forum organized at Ogbojo, near Madina in Accra.

He said the Madina Police had received about five complaints against some churches that disturbed communities at night.

Chief Superintendent Eklu also noted that although the Constitution allowed freedom of worship, it was imperative to note that religious activities, which were likely to lead to the breach of peace and infringe on others people's rights, were also abhorred by the Constitution.

He said criminals took advantage of late night activities to operate and to commit crimes adding that the loud noise levels created by churches at night gave criminals the opportunity to break into houses without anybody hearing.

Chief Superintendent Eklu added that sometimes these criminals hid among the congregation and trailed their victims to snatch valuable items and cars from them.

He, therefore, urged churches to reduce the risk of exposing their members to criminals.

Chief Superintendent Eklu also noted that churches played vital roles in our lives, saying they preached to promote peace, protect and transform our lives. They also prayed for prosperity and win souls for Christ.

Speaking on the crime situation within Madina, he said crimes recorded of late included phone snatching, carjacking and break-ins.

Chief Superintendent Eklu highlighted the "modus operandi" of the criminals as using unregistered motorbikes to trail their victims. Armed men also chartered taxis and attacked their victims along the way, he said.

He appealed to the general public to use reliable locks for their doors, inscribe their names on every property, switch off lights in their rooms when they were asleep and ensure that there was enough light outside.

He asked those who could afford to install alarm systems on their vehicles.

Commander Eklu announced that the Police emergency numbers were 0302-773936/787373/773695.