Police chiefs urging Churches to tighten security following yesterday’s attack in Normandy

Christians in Britain have been urged by police to be vigilant and alert when attending church in the wake of the terrorist attack in Normandy on Tuesday.

A French priest was murdered in an attack on a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray near Rouen on Tuesday in the first such attack on a Christian church in Europe.

So-called ‘Islamic State’ later claimed responsibility for the attack in which two terrorists were shot dead by police.

The National Police Chiefs’ is asking the  Christian community to review security  while the Home Office announced an extra £2.4m for security measures for places of worship.

While there is no specific intelligence relating at attacks against the Christian community in the UK,  police say the community should ‘be alert but not alarmed’ and report concerns to the police.

National Operational Police Lead for Protect and Prepare Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said:

“There is no specific intelligence relating to attacks against the Christian community in the UK. However, 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. We are also taking this opportunity to remind them to review their security arrangements as a precaution.

“This is part of our ongoing work with faith organisations, as well as other sectors, to help ensure the safety and security of their staff, visitors and members.

“While the threat from terrorism remains unchanged at severe we urge the public to be vigilant. Be alert and not alarmed and report any suspicious activity via the anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321. In an emergency always dial 999.

“The UK police service is working tirelessly with our partners to confront the threat and protect all our communities.