Yeah, yeah - it's an article from across the pond, but things have a way of swimming west.
07:18, 30 Aug 2016
Counter-terror experts fear ISIS extremists armed with knives will target a Western church for their next attack.
Christian leaders are being warned to increase security and avoid wearing dog collars in public.
New counter terrorism advice is being urgently issued to vicars and churches across the UK this week over fears an attack on British religious institutions is now likely.
The new measures follow the murder of a priest by two ISIS terrorists in France last month, amid fears the same could now happen in the UK.
Experts warn that a terrorist attack on churches "is coming." Places of worship in the UK, which are 'easy targets' for extremists, are now being urged to take precautions and beef up security.
A draft of the measures being issued and seen by Mirror Online - called Counter Terrorism Advice for Churches - urges religious leaders to prepare for incidents and to be on alert for attackers, who are likely to be armed with knives.
The Christian church is feared to be Islamic State's new target.
Last Sunday Catholic Priest Albert Pandiangan was stabbed during by an ISIS-inspired knifeman during mass in Indonesia - who then tried to set off an explosive device but failed.
Catholic priest Jacques Hamel, 85, had his throat slit by knife-wielding assailants wearing fake explosive belts when he was taken hostage at his church in Normandy on July 26.
The slaying has prompted guidance for religious institutions in the UK to be rewritten.
This is being done by former police officer Nick Tolson, who has advised the Home Office on counter-terrorism measures since 2012.
He is writing the measures for National Churchwatch - which produces personal safety advice to people who work at places of worship.
Mr Tolson told Mirror Online: "Since the French attack we have to look at the possibility of an attack on a church in this country. The risk level has gone up.
"Churches in the past were considered low risk - now we know an attack is coming... and churches are one of the easy targets.
"It's likely to be a knife - not a machine gun, but we are covering that too."
As well as advising religious leaders how to avoid being targeted, the measures give directions about what to do if an attack takes place. It reads: "If someone produces weapons during a service (and this will usually be a knife or blunt instrument) then you will need to get people out of the church.
"They are at risk, it only takes seconds for someone to stab a large number of people as we have seen."
It also advises religious leaders how to handle Sunday School children who may get separated from their parents in the event of an attack.
It continues: "Obviously the safety of children is paramount and understandably the parents will be frantic."
The document - which is illustrated with images of handguns and semi-automatic AK-47 rifles - stresses the need to respond quickly "to give you the best chance of survival".
It says: "It does not matter whether they have a pistol, rifle or a machine gun. A firearm will kill a large number of people very quickly."
The document also gives advice on:
Since 1996 eight members of the clergy have been murdered in the UK - all of them killed with knives.
Follow the link for the rest of the story
07:18, 30 Aug 2016
- Updated 13:20, 30 Aug 2016
- By Stephen Jones
Counter-terror experts fear ISIS extremists armed with knives will target a Western church for their next attack.
Christian leaders are being warned to increase security and avoid wearing dog collars in public.
New counter terrorism advice is being urgently issued to vicars and churches across the UK this week over fears an attack on British religious institutions is now likely.
The new measures follow the murder of a priest by two ISIS terrorists in France last month, amid fears the same could now happen in the UK.
Experts warn that a terrorist attack on churches "is coming." Places of worship in the UK, which are 'easy targets' for extremists, are now being urged to take precautions and beef up security.
A draft of the measures being issued and seen by Mirror Online - called Counter Terrorism Advice for Churches - urges religious leaders to prepare for incidents and to be on alert for attackers, who are likely to be armed with knives.
The Christian church is feared to be Islamic State's new target.
Last Sunday Catholic Priest Albert Pandiangan was stabbed during by an ISIS-inspired knifeman during mass in Indonesia - who then tried to set off an explosive device but failed.
Catholic priest Jacques Hamel, 85, had his throat slit by knife-wielding assailants wearing fake explosive belts when he was taken hostage at his church in Normandy on July 26.
The slaying has prompted guidance for religious institutions in the UK to be rewritten.
This is being done by former police officer Nick Tolson, who has advised the Home Office on counter-terrorism measures since 2012.
He is writing the measures for National Churchwatch - which produces personal safety advice to people who work at places of worship.
Mr Tolson told Mirror Online: "Since the French attack we have to look at the possibility of an attack on a church in this country. The risk level has gone up.
"Churches in the past were considered low risk - now we know an attack is coming... and churches are one of the easy targets.
"It's likely to be a knife - not a machine gun, but we are covering that too."
As well as advising religious leaders how to avoid being targeted, the measures give directions about what to do if an attack takes place. It reads: "If someone produces weapons during a service (and this will usually be a knife or blunt instrument) then you will need to get people out of the church.
"They are at risk, it only takes seconds for someone to stab a large number of people as we have seen."
It also advises religious leaders how to handle Sunday School children who may get separated from their parents in the event of an attack.
It continues: "Obviously the safety of children is paramount and understandably the parents will be frantic."
The document - which is illustrated with images of handguns and semi-automatic AK-47 rifles - stresses the need to respond quickly "to give you the best chance of survival".
It says: "It does not matter whether they have a pistol, rifle or a machine gun. A firearm will kill a large number of people very quickly."
The document also gives advice on:
- Preparing for a terrorist attack
- CCTV, alarms and controlling entrances
- Challenging suspicious people
- Dealing with disturbances during services
- Getting distance from the attacker or scene of the incident
- Taking cover in the event of 'gunfire or explosions'.
Since 1996 eight members of the clergy have been murdered in the UK - all of them killed with knives.
Follow the link for the rest of the story
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