Some
practical points .
Here are some practical points and precautions to help keep your
church safe as well as open!
1. It is better to keep the church open and valuables locked away.
This will prevent costly damage to the fabric of the church.
2. If need be remove valuable items from the church. At least
put them in a locked vestry.
3. Have a notice in the porch to the effect that no money is held
on the premises.
4. If you keep the church locked but allow visitors to have the
key, get them to sign for it and take a note of their car registration
number.
5. Get the congregation into the habit on dropping into the church
whenever they are passing.
6. Ask the congregation to note car registration numbers of cars
parked outside the church and report immediately they see anything
suspicious.
7. Consider alpha-dotting valuable portable items. Alarm and secure
any larger items such as chairs if they are valuable
8. Identify what is valuable in your church (For example candlesticks,
churchwardens' wands, furniture, collection boxes) Store any valuable
portable items in a locked area of the church . Ensure all items
are recorded, photographed and marked and this reference is kept
away from the church.
Encourage
your congregations to drop into the church during this week (a
busy church is a safe church). Any further advice about security
look at the web site of National Church watch www.nationalchurchwatch.com.
There is a very comprehensive section on keeping your church open.
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