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Crowded Places - Places of Worship

Many places of worship may find it difficult to consider that they could be at risk. However, it is possible that a place of worship could be the target of a terrorist incident because of the nature of the place of worship, or the number of people who congregate in it, or due to special events, often with high profile individuals attending. NaCTSO has researched and produced a guide intended to give protective security advice to those who are responsible for security in places of worship (2mb PDF). Whilst the document concentrates on measures to counter terrorism, these will also work against other threats, such as theft, burglary and arson (which remain the greatest threats to places of worship).

It is recognised that there is a need to make places of worship as accessible as possible and to ensure there is a welcoming atmosphere within. This guide is not intended to create a 'fortress mentality'. There is however a balance to be achieved where those responsible for security are informed that there are robust protective security measures available to mitigate against the threat of terrorism.

It is accepted that the concept of absolute security is almost impossible to achieve in combating the threat of terrorism, but it is possible, through the use of this guidance, to reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable.