Specific advice has been issued by the police to the estimated 47,000 churches in Britain on security measures.
Places of worship can now apply for funding for security measures to prevent hate crime: https://t.co/k5yqB1F2lm
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) July 26, 2016
The church has always exercised an "open door" policy allowing congregation members to visit their priests and discuss confidential issues. However, the attack in France has left many churches feeling that perhaps current security measures are not good enough.
While there are no specific threats to the UK's Christian community, churchgoers should be alert, according to the police advice which was sent out on Tuesday 26th July.
Police have given protective security advice to churches in the UK & urged people to be alert but not alarmed https://t.co/rboWIBL4gg
— NPCC (@PoliceChiefs) July 27, 2016
A spokesman for the Church of England (CoE) said that the attack has affected everyone; however, the advice is to be alert and not alarmed.
"We pray for everyone affected by today's events in France. Church buildings are public buildings that are open to all. Where there are known risks, churches take measures to ensure the safety and security of worshippers and visitors," a spokesman for the CoE told Sputnik.
The Home Office and the police issued a clear warning for churches to be alert and aware of any security risks to leaders as well as congregation members.
Message to Churches from the Police — https://t.co/7LXJLyM879
— Ground Level (@GroundLevel) July 28, 2016
"As we have seen, Daesh and other terrorist groups have targeted Christian as well as Jewish and other faith groups in the west and beyond. Following recent events in France, we are reiterating our protective security advice to Christian places of worship and have circulated specific advice today," Neil Basu, the Metropolitan police's deputy assistant commissioner said in a recent interview.
"We are also taking this opportunity to remind them to review their security arrangements as a precaution. While the threat from terrorism remains unchanged at severe, we urge the public to be vigilant," Basu said.
"Be alert and not alarmed and report any suspicious activity. The UK police service is working tirelessly with our partners to confront the threat and protect all our communities."
The CoE said that the additional funding from the Home Office to help with security will no doubt benefit all faith communities.
"We welcome the Home Office announcement today of funding for security measures for places of worship, which will benefit all faith communities. All public ministry involves being vulnerable to others, so security measures are good sense in uncertain times," a spokesman for the CoE told Sputnik.
