Following the murder of Fr Jacques Hamel in Normandy yesterday, Archdeacon Luke Miller has circulated a message from the Metropolitan Police to places of worship.

Church leaders and their congregations here in the UK should remain alert not alarmed.

There is no current intelligence to suggest any attack planning of this nature in this country. 

However I know these are troubling times and it makes sense for all church leaders to review their security plans and to encourage their flock to be vigilant.

Any suspicious behaviour should be reported immediately through 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321.

LBFN’s plans for bespoke security training for churches, temples, synagogues, Islamic centres & gurdwaras with the MPS, Ecclesiastical Insurance, Tell Mama, CST & London Resilience are moving ahead.

Download the full message from the MPS’s Neil Basu here and the counter terrorism advice booklet for places of worship here.

The Home Office has launched a scheme to improve security at places of worship.  Bids should be submitted by 20 September.

Hate crime should be reported to the police directly &/or via True Vision, Tell Mama or CST.