SECURITY OF CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS HOUSES

What is the problem?

In recent times there has been a noticeable increase in thefts from churches and religious residences and physical violence against clergy, religious and voluntary workers.

What can we do?

• Be aware that you have in your care the most attractive property to a potential thief ie money.

• Have an awareness of the danger that you place yourself and others in through lack of security.

• Take sensible and reasonable steps to protect yourself and others as well as the property in your care and control.

• Don’t publicise your valuables held, security precautions or losses

General Security:

• External lighting acts as an excellent deterrent to the criminal. Consider installing lighting automatically controlled by photo-electric switches in vulnerable areas.

• Ensure that all perimeter fences and walls are maintained and doors and gates are locked and secured.

• All external doors should be of substantial construction (solid wood or metal) with secure frame and fitted with a 5 lever mortice deadlock.

• Fit a security quality chain/door limiter and wide angle door viewer to the front door of residences.

• All vulnerable accessible windows should be fitted with security quality locks.

• Always keep cash in a safe or strong room – never in cabinets, boxes or other receptacles.

• Keep an inventory of valuables in the church or residence using video recording or colour photographs and property marking techniques.

• Sound, like light, acts as an excellent deterrent to the criminal. Consider installation by a reputable security company of a burglar alarm system with connection to a central monitoring station.

• Never leave keys hanging around.

• Cut back shrubbery from around entrances to avoid concealment of persons.

Alarm Systems

• Should be installed and maintained by a reputable security company with connection to a central monitoring station.

• Panic units should be located in the sacristy, at front door of the residence and in bedrooms used by residents. Consider a portable panic unit for those on duty, especially in the silent hours.

Cash Security

• Cash security must be given high priority, be conscious of the potential risk of violence by a thief and don’t do anything to expose yourself or others to such danger.

• Never keep large amounts overnight if possible.

• Money should always be counted and transported by an able-bodied person. Don’t forget that they young, the aged and women are particularly vulnerable.

• Money should be counted by a minimum of three persons.

• Always keep cash in a safe or strong room – never in cabinets, boxes or other receptacles.

• All safes should be fitted to the floor.

• Safes should preferably be fitted with a time locking mechanism.

• If you need to lodge money at irregular intervals consider a safe with a deposit facility.

• Always remove the key to a separate room.

• Wherever money is kept and counted e.g. sacristy should be secure.

• Access should be of solid constructions, opening outwards, and fitted with at least one 5 lever mortice deadlock.

• Fit a security quality door chain door limiter and wide angle viewer to the door(s).

• Windows should have expanded metal grills fitted internally.

• A telephone in the room is advisable to enable help to be summoned, if necessary.

• Transport money to the bank as soon as possible after receipt.

• If possible travel at different hours and a different route each time.

• Be vigilant at the time of loading into or out of car.

• Transport money with a companion, if possible, sharing the cash between you.