A LEADING expert on the security of faith buildings is coming to the Diocese of Oxford to give advice on protecting places of worship.
Next month the Community Security Trust – an organisation set up initially to help keep the Jewish community safe – will stage an event Church House, the diocese headquarters in Kidlington.
Mike Whine, an advisor to the UK Government and CST’s Government and International Affairs Director, will explain how to guard against potential attacks on congregations and buildings.
CST draws on experience going back 70 years and while initially set up in the wake of growing antisemitism, has broadened its work to help all faith communities to stay safe.
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Becoming a charitable trust in 1994, it has continued to develop its expertise.
Following the devastating attacks on churches in Sri Lanka at Easter, the CST received 140 requests for security advice from faith communities.
Mr Whine said: “Synagogues are advised to lock the doors until people arrive for services then close them later.
We advise churches to maintain a discreet but friendly and welcoming presence at their entrances.”
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For more on the talk on Monday, December 16 anf ticket information visit oxford.anglican.org.
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