records stolen from St. John's Church in Pembroke.

Mr. Ratteray said the records, which were housed in the church office, dated from the 1800s to the present day.

The neighbouring St. John's Church Pre-School was one of several schools struck in a recent rash of break-ins.

Police public relations oficer Pc. Gary Venning said that, sometime over the weekend, someone broke into the pre-school through an open window.

They then smashed through several doors to get into the church office to steal a small safe. The safe contained some jewellery, together with the baptismal and death records.

Mr. Ratteray said their loss was a serious blow to the community. "They were historical documents that were invaluable and they are of absolutely no use to thieves.' He pointed out that people who were baptised at the church cannot get copies of their records until the documents are returned.

The Devon Lane School, not far from St. John's Church, also suffered a break-in over the weekend.

Principal Mr. Leon James estimated the value of the stolen video cassette player and remote control at $500.

"The students were particularly upset because they had been in the process of watching a tape for an activity, `The Courage of Black Beauty'.

"The tape had been left in the cassette player and was taken along with it.'' He went on to say that the cassette player would be sorely missed by the children and any donation or loan of a cassette player would be greatly appreciated.

Harrington Sound Primary School was also the target of burglars who gained access through a window and broke down two doors. Two watches were taken from a teacher,s desk.

Police said that any connection between the incidents had not been confirmed and that investigations were continuing.

During another break-in at the weekend, a burglar entered a Pembroke hotel room and stole a leather handbag containing cash, travellers cheques, airline tickets and binoculars.