Churches need ‘bouncers’ to halt attackers

CHURCHES should have a “bouncer” on the door during services, it has been suggested, as it was warned that small parish churches are more at risk of attack than larger places of worship.

Guidance issued after July’s murder of a French priest advises churches to buy CCTV and personal attack alarms.

The draft 12-page guidance, drawn up by Nick Tolson, who advises the Home Office’s places of worship security committee, says churches should ensure doors can be bolted and that worshippers are briefed on what to do if they spot anyone suspicious.

It says someone should stand by the door while the congregation is present: “The job of the person on the door is to delay any offenders (including those who are not terrorists) so that the police can arrive and deal with them.”

The Counter Terrorism Advice for Churches, from National Churchwatch, which provides safety and security advice to churches, also advises congregations to flee rather than hide in the event of an attack.

The Home Office last month announced a £2.4 million fund to strengthen safety in places of worship.

Mr Tolson, the director of National Churchwatch, said: “The risk is still very low, however, we need to think about what we need to do.”

He said any attack was likely to target a small parish church, as seen in France. “It won’t be Westminister Abbey or St Paul’s, it will be a little church in Bolton or Birmingham,” he said.

A Church of England spokesman said much of the new security guidance was already covered by its own advice.