Counter Terrorism Advice for Churches
Counter Terrorism Advice for Churches
Terrorism experts fear Islamic terrorists will target churches in the UK. It comes as the risk of terror attacks on British shores is believed to have been increased since two Islamic State terrorists brutally murdered Father Jacques Hamel in his church in France (1), and also after the more recent Islamic suicide bomber attempted to blow himself up during mass in a Catholic church in the Indonesian city of Medan. When the bomb failed to detonate, the 18-year-old pulled out an ax and slashed the priest’s arm. (2)
Watch excerpt from End Time Hour with Jason Carter on Eternal Radio
New counter-terrorism advice urges churches to prepare for similar attacks, including learning how to identify a semi-automatic weapon, how to challenge a suspicious person and how to take cover in the event of gunfire.
Churches are described as “easy targets” in the new measures, which are being issued amid fears an attack “is coming.”
The guidelines, called Counter Terrorism Advice for Churches, urge church leaders to be on alert for attackers.
The attacks have prompted counter terrorism experts to rewrite advice for religious institutions in the UK. Counter terrorist expert Nick Tolson who advises the UK Home Office, said that churches should have bouncers on the door throughout services and church doors should be quickly bolted shut if necessary. Churches should install CCTV and alarms that can be triggered by pastors, and Christians should learn how to identify a semi automatic weapon and should now how to take cover in the event of gunfire.
The advice also features images of handguns and semi-automatic AK-47 rifles, urging religious leaders to respond quickly “to give you the best chance of survival.”
Some church officials have even told their vicars to stop wearing their dog collar in public.
7 Things Churches Need To Implement
1 Install CCTV.
2 Install an alarm system that can be easily activated in the event of an attack
3 Install bolts or doors that can easily lock shut.
4 Have someone on the door throughout the service
5 make sure other entrances are locked shut
6 Learn how to identify a weapon
7 Learn how to respond if under attack
Download Counter Terrorism Advice for Churches here.
Criminal Prosecution For Churches: If the Terrorists Don't Persecute the Church the Government will!
Counter Terrorism Protection Security Advice for Places of Worship produced by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office on page 7 notes that churches who have not met core standards to ensure against a terrorist incident are liable to criminal prosecution and heavy penalties!
"Criminal prosecution and heavy penalties under Health and Safety laws for charitable trusts, companies and individuals who manage places of worship are a real possibility in the wake of a terrorist incident, particularly if it emerges that core standards and statutory duties have not been met. Especially relevant to protective security in places of worship are the specific requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Regulations made under it to do all of the following."
Watch the full broadcast of End Time Hour here. UK Church Terror Alert
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