New security guidance is being issued to all churches in the UK following the murder of French priest Father Jacques Hamel by suspected Islamist militants. The organisation National Churchwatch is advising that churches install CCTV, maintain a single public entrance that can be quickly closed, and provide personal attack alarms for key personnel.
The guidance warns that smaller village churches are at greater risk. It advises that if a weapon is produced during a service, the congregation should be evacuated immediately. “Do not let them just sit there and watch what is going on. They are at risk. It only takes seconds for someone to stab a large number of people,” the advice states.
National Churchwatch director Nick Tolson noted that eight clergy have been murdered in knife attacks since 1996, and the risk has increased since Father Hamel’s murder in July. He said the most likely targets are small churches where police response times are longer.
The Church of England stated it had not issued any instruction for clergy to avoid wearing clerical collars. Christian leaders have emphasised that clergy should not resort to disguise. Bishop Anba Angaelos said, “While potentially making us targets, our visible presence is needed as reconciling, peaceful resilience.” The Venerable Luke Miller added, “We must not be terrorised out of it.”
