Security

Places of Worship and Public Safety

Following the terrorist attack at two mosques in New Zealand and recent incidents in the West Midlands where five mosques were damaged, Kent Police are reminding communities to remain alert but not alarmed, around the threat in the UK from International Terrorism, which remains at severe.

This means an attack is “highly likely” in the UK although there is no intelligence to suggest one is imminent.

The Police have recently stepped up reassurance patrols around mosques and increasing engagement with communities of all faiths, giving advice on how people and places can protect themselves.

Resources and advice

Places of worship can utilise the online training package ‘ACT Awareness eLearning’ for advice on Protective Security and how to react should the worst happen. It can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/act-awareness-elearning.

Kent Police have previously circulated the STAY SAFE principles (Run, Hide, Tell) but if you have not seen this then please read the information and watch the video on the Government’s Stay Safe guidance available on gov.uk.

The link https://www.kent.police.uk/advice/terrorism/ takes you to the external website with posters in various languages (English, Hebrew, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Urdu and Arabic) which can be placed in key locations of interest/places of worship.

Advice from Kent Police

Public safety is a priority for Kent Police and they have offered the following guidance: 

• Remain Vigilant at all times .
• Report any Incident / Suspicious events to Police via ‘101’, non-urgent, ‘999’, emergencies.
• Make sure, all CCTV is correctly working and accessible. Consider installing additional camera’s for any ‘blind-spots’.
• Regularly inspect all Doors, Windows during closing times and any other vulnerable point. Make sure your venue is secured with working Locks, Key Codes and Intruder Alarms.
• Remove any items that could be dangerous and dispose of safely.
• Challenge for ID if you see an unfamiliar face on the premises.
• Keep mobile phones fully charged and setup ‘quick dial’ for Police numbers of ‘101’ for non-urgent, ‘999’ for emergencies.

In summary we are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity, concerns or local tensions to the Police.

Always dial 999 if there is an emergency, crime is in progress or life is in danger.