SECURITY/CRIME REDUCTION VISITS TO
CHURCHES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS
When visiting any building to offer crime prevention advice use the
ONION PEELING PRINCIPLE
i.e. start at the outside and work inwards
Preparation – Environment – Perimeter – Shell – Interior
Preparation – look at the general area, what type of crime has there been in the
locality?
Environment – Is the area well maintained?
Perimeter – area between the boundary and buildings.
Shell – the main fabric of the building, including walls, windows, doors, skylights and
roof.
Interior – assets within the building.
An offender, a suitable target and an absent capable guardian are needed for a crime
to occur.
Consider the 10 Principles of Reduction
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Target Hardening (locks, bolts, alarms, gates, fences etc)
Target Removal (lock items in the safe when not in use)
Remove the Means (remove wheelie bins/ladders)
Reduce the Pay-Of (property mark)
Access Control (restrict access, lock doors and gates at night)
Surveillance (whether it be natural – from passing motorists, formal – from
CCTV, police patrols or Informal – from local residents)
7. Environmental Design (ie changing the surveillance, lighting)
8. Rule Setting (signage)
9. Increase the Chance of Being Caught (installation of CCTV, lighting, alarms
etc)
10. Deflecting Offenders
The same principles apply to any crime reduction survey whether it be for residential,
commercial, public building or church.
Just a few pointers re security advice for churches which hopefully will be of use
Churches
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Gates should be well maintained, move freely and you should not be able to lift
them from hinges. Are gates locked at night?
Is there a public footpath through the churchyard? Are there multiple
entries/exits to the churchyard and church?
Can vehicles access the site?
Is there a well defined perimeter?
Is the churchyard well maintained? If so, this gives the impression of regular
attendance.
Is there a hedge, fence or wall?
Are trees well pruned with branches taken up to approximately 2.5m to assist
with natural surveillance of the area?
Are shrubs and hedges well maintained and not too high to prevent
neighbours seeing into the churchyard?
Roof and Fall Pipes – most church roofs are irregular in design and this means there
is usually difficulty with natural surveillance to all aspects. Has a roof alarm been
considered? Large cast iron fall pipes aid climbing as do poorly sited fuel tanks.
Has anti-climb paint been applied? This should be at least 7 ft from ground level and
there should be signage.
Are regular checks made of the roof?
If there are sheds and outbuildings ensure that tools and machinery are securely
locked and property marked.
Lighting – the type of lighting should be appropriate to the location of the church.
Dusk to dawn low level lighting, PIR type lighting, flood lights are appropriate in the
right location. Consider the height of lighting and ensure that lights are regularly
checked.
Church doors are almost always large with huge locks and keys. Foliage around
doors should be cut back. All doors should be kept locked and bolted where
practicable. Consideration to having opening hours may be appropriate, or could
there be a rota of volunteers to ensure the church is not left unattended. Keep the
number of keyholders to a minimum. If the church is to be left open and unattended
items of value should be locked away. Encourage wardens and local residents to
make frequent but irregularly timed visits to the church. Lock the church during
hours of darkness.
Windows – most are stained glass. To provide protection either the fitting of wire
mesh or a polycarbonate covering may be appropriate.
If the church is to be locked – ensure the key is available – have a contact telephone
number available on the church noticeboard.
Are all items of high value kept in a safe that is out of view and fixed to the floor?
Large amounts of cash should not be kept in the church. Location of church safe
keeps should be documented. Offetory boxes should be emptied regularly and
signage advising of this should be displayed. All property should be marked using
either ultra violet, Smartwater or similar DNA type marking and, where applicable,
overt marking which readily identifies items. It is an excellent idea to take
photographs, ensuring there is something in the frame to accurately provide
size/scale (a ruler, coin or postage stamp). Substituting items of value when the
church is open for private prayer may be an easy way of protecting property.
Cellars – ensure cellar flaps are secured and if the cellar is no longer in use consider
having the entrance bricked up.
Roof Alarms and Intruder Alarms – alarms should be used in conjunction with good
physical security.
The Wider Community
The church is a focal point of the community and even if residents have no formal
involvement they may be willing to help. Is there a Neighbourhood Watch in the
area? Encourage everyone to actively help to look after the church and report
anything they think is suspicious. Register for our message sending system
www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk
It is important that the church/churchyard should look as if it is used and loved. A
derelict or unkempt look can indicate that security may be poor and surveillance
negligible. The opportunist will always look for the easy option.