The general designs and function of churches can make security more complicated. A great deal however can be done to minimise the risk of theft from places of worship.

It is easy for criminals to take advantage of traditional churches as they are open for prayer and worship at all times.

Even when churches are locked and not in use, the graveyard can provide ample cover for criminals. Often they are surrounded by walls, which can help a would be thief to avoid detection.

Some criminals have now become specialists, with good knowledge of church furnishings and their value. They know there is a market for art and church antiques. The rise in value and the increase in demand for these items have made church properties a target.

Remember, you may feel your community is safe but thieves have been known to travel the county targetting churches.

Internal security

Wherever possible the church should be locked at all times unless a responsible person is present. A notice can be displayed indicating from whom a key can be obtained.

Many churches however do not wish to undertake this measure as the church is the focal point of the community. They want parishioners to feel free to come and go as they please. If this is the case, measures must be taken to reduce the risk and minimise loss in the event of your church being targetted by the thief.

Advice includes:-

• Locking your church at night.
• Storing away small valuable items in a locked vestry, cupboard or safe when not in use during the week.
• Using wooden or base metal alterware substitutes for every day display, with the originals only used for services and events.
• Considering the discreet chaining to floor and wall of antique furniture and other valuables. This may not stop the determined thief but may act as a deterrent to the opportunist criminal.
• Keeping larger valuables in a locked room when not being used for a service.
• Keeping valuables, including communion plates, which are not in regular use in a bank deposit box.
• Keeping keys in a secure place away from the church.
• Securing the vestry with good quality locks and bars on the windows. All locks should conform to BS 3621, or higher specification.
• Photograph and keep a log of all property on the premises. This should be stored in a safe place away from the church. All photographs must have a ruler or 50p coin in the picture to indicate size.
• Emptying the offertory box on a daily basis. A notice should be displayed on the box indicating this.
• Protecting vulnerable stained glass windows externally with polycarbonate sheets.
• Remaining vigilant and reporting anything suspicious to the police immediately.

Although the number of church crimes is relatively low in comparison to other crimes, the effect on the church community can be devastating.

External security

Hedges

The best form of hedging for a barrier is one that is thick and difficult to penetrate. Choose something like hawthorn, privet, holly, yew or laurel.

Roof and fall pipes

Places of worship are normally irregular in shape and design. Access to the roof can be relatively easy due to for example, cast iron fall pipes. Anti-climb paint can be applied to fall-pipes not less than eight feet from the ground. This is a type of paint that does not dry and is very slippery. Barbed wire and anti-climb devices can also be fitted to fall pipes. Advertise the fact that these methods are being used, it will be a good deterrent.

Sheds and Outbuildings

Most places of worship have a shed or outbuilding with tools and machinery. Such buildings often contain ladders or power tools that are valuable to the criminal as a means to attack or gain access to the church or buildings nearby. Always ensure sheds and outbuildings are well secured.

Lighting

Effective security lighting is very important, particularly for isolated buildings, for the following reasons:-

• To highlight vulnerable areas of the buildings in order to reveal anyone attacking the building. E.g. trying to force entry, mounting drainpipes or moving onto a roof area.
• To reveal an intruder in an unlit area between a floodlit building and an observer’s viewpoint.

Cellars

Wherever possible, access to cellars should be via one entrance within the church building. All other entrances should be permanently bricked up. Where this is not possible, doors should be secured internally. Any retained entrance to a cellar should be given special attention with good quality frames and five lever deadlocks.

External doors

• Large items stolen from churches are invariably removed via a door. It is equally important, therefore to ensure that, when locked, they cannot be opened from the inside. Mortice deadlocks are the most effective means of ensuring this.
• All doors should be sturdy, with strong hinges and effective frames. The strength of a door is only as good as its frames and hinges. Again, good maintenance not only improves security but also acts as a deterrent.
• Locks should in all cases, be thief-resistant mortice deadlocks. Many old locks currently fitted to church doors are inadequate with relatively simple internal mechanisms, which will not defeat the professional criminal.

Intruder Alarms

Intruder alarms are often dismissed as being too expensive, too much trouble and inappropriate for use in a church. It is strongly recommended that this option be considered for the following reasons:-

• The presence of an alarm system is often sufficient to deter the would-be criminal even before a crime is committed.
• An active alarm also substantially reduces the time available to the criminal to commit the crime.
• Systems can be designed to the requirements of individual buildings or specific areas, to reduce the instances of false calls and minimise costs. Alarm systems have various means of activation, from breaking electronic circuits on doors and windows, to sophisticated but inexpensive movement detectors. Alarm systems can sometimes entitle you to a reduction in insurance premiums. Please check with your insurance company before you go ahead as they may wish to make certain stipulations.
• A good quality alarm system should be viewed as an investment to help prevent the theft of valuable items.

For further information contact Community Protection on 01926 415000.