The home ministry has asked for a report from the Delhi police on the frequent attack on religious places.

This comes after a church was allegedly vandalised by unidentified persons today in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj area, the fifth such incident since November.

Police said the incident at St Alphonsa's Church took place around 1 am and a case of theft has been registered.

They said a number of sacred items were damaged by the unidentified persons.

"We are investigating the incident and scanning the footage of CCTV installed near the church to identify the accused," said a senior police official. "We are probing all angles in the case," said the official.

The church's priest Father Vincent Salvatore claimed it was not a case of robbery. "It is a clear case of desecration of the church. It has been happening for the last many months. It happened in St Sebastian's Church in Dilshad Garden, then in Vikaspuri and in Jasola. This is the fifth church," he said.