Priests in the UK have been warned to stay vigilant and review their security plans following the killing of Fr Jacques Hamel by two Islamic extremists in France last week.
In a letter sent to churches, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) urged clergy to forge close links with their local police commanders. “I know these are troubling times and it makes sense for all church leaders to review their security plans and to encourage their flocks to be vigilant,” read the letter, which was signed by Neil Basu, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
The letter stressed that there was no specific intelligence relating to attacks against the Christian community and it urged people to be alert, but not alarmed.
But it said that the incident in France was a reminder of the indiscriminate nature of terrorism, and noted that recent attacks had focused on “innocent people enjoying their freedoms”. It also revealed that the police had been working with church leaders in the UK to establish a communications network through which guidance could be passed to the Christian community.
Meanwhile the Barnabas Fund, an interdenominational Christian aid agency, has announced it will give free copies of its “Pray and Protect” booklet about improving security to churches. It urged priests to conduct a risk assessment of the likelihood of a terrorist attack taking place and put measures in place to safeguard their congregations.
Dr Martin Parsons of the Barnabas Fund said: “Islamic State and other groups urge terrorists to target churches and Christian communities. They want to create a war between Christianity and Islam for their own apocalyptic purposes. We offer this booklet as a free gift to UK churches to help them make sensible and low-key decisions to deter and avoid attacks.”
The UK Government has also announced it will help fund security for places of worship. The £2.4 million Places of Worship Security Funding Scheme, which is being operated by the Home Office, will offer financial support for churches and other places of worship that want to install CCTV, alarms, locks and security doors. Bidders must provide supporting documents – such as police reports and insurance claims – that prove they need increased security, along with quotes from security installers.
They will also need to contribute 20 per cent of total costs. The scheme is open for eight weeks from 26 July and closes at 5pm on 20 September.
A second round of bids will open in spring 2017.
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