THE BRONX (PIX11) – You have to pray with one eye open at some churches in the Bronx.

Priests say there’s been an increase in crimes inside and around their houses of worship.

Purses are stolen from pews during communion, while several reports of cars parked outside getting broken into during mass have been reported.

One priest even said a chain was snatched off his neck in front of his church in University Heights.

Some blame the bad economy and drug addiction for the crimes.