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Advice from Nottinghamshire Police’s Pre Crime Unit

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SECURITY FOR PLACES OF WORSHIP

Contents

Introduction 3

Improve your security 4 - 7

Making your place of worship safer 4

Metal theft 4

Security of buildings 4

Doors, windows and locks 4

Locking up 5

Keys 5

Preventing theft 5

Lighting 5

Alarms 5

Types of alarm 5

CCTV systems 5 - 6

Security marking 6

Listed buildings 6

Self assessment checklist 8 - 9

Notts Business Watch 10

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Contents

Contents

Introduction

We at Nottinghamshire Police recognise the

impact a crime against a Minister of

Religion or their place of worship has not only on

them, but on the whole faith

community.

This booklet provides advice, which we hope will reduce the chances of you or your place of

worship becoming a victim of crime and, at the same time, provide a much safer

environment for people to meet and practise their faith or religion. It also contains a

self-assessment checklist to help you improve the security of your building and the property

inside it.

Please take some time to read this information and act quickly to secure your premises to

reduce the likelihood of you becoming a victim of crime.

You should review the security at your place of worship using the checklist in this booklet

and always contact us if you notice anything suspicious.

Crime prevention is a shared responsibility. While we are working hard to bring criminals to

justice and prevent crimes from being committed, the whole community can play a part in

making Nottinghamshire a safer place in which to live and worship.

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Introduction

Introduction

Security of buildings

Clearly define the boundary of your premises. This will help you to inform visitors that they are entering private property. This can be achieved by using fencing, walls, gates, landscaping and clear signs.

• Where possible, have one entry/exit point to minimise the opportunity for un-authorised access. This should be indicated with clear signage.

• Ensure that the appropriate people within your place of worship are briefed on the security procedures, particularly those who may use the building when the Minister of Religion is not present.

• Identify any features in your premises that could provide cover for intruders and remove or improve them. Examples include recessed doorways, landscaping and poorly lit areas.

• Ensure that removing vulnerable features such as low wall or down pipes restricts access to the roof.

Doors, windows and locks

There are a wide range of doors, windows and locks that provide additional security.

It is not possible within this booklet to give full and comprehensive advice, however, your choice of protection for doors and windows will depend on a number of issues, including the following:

• The location of the door/window

• The location of the property

• The risk relating to the loss or damage of the property

• The use of additional security products and technology, including CCTV, intruder detection equipment and asset marking systems.

For information on door, window and lock security visit www.securedbydesign.com for relevant standards and details of Association of Chief Police Officer (ACPO)approved security companies.

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Making your place of worship safer

The majority of burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. They choose premises that have no obvious signs of security and where they think they will not be seen.

If they have succeeded once, they can be motivated to try again. Research shows there is an increased chance of a repeat burglary at the same premises. Some 21per cent of non-residential premises are targeted again within amatter of weeks. This is because the criminal knows the layout of the building and is confi-dent they can access it again.

Please use this booklet as a guide to reviewing your security arrangements immediately.

Often security will only be improved after stolen property has been replaced following a break in. Now is a good time for you to determine the risk of crime to your place of worship and we excourage all worshippers to help identify any security risks. It is in everyone’s interest to ensure the security and safety of your place of worship.

Metal theft

• Wherever metals are present there is an increased risk of theft and existing security arrangements should be reviewed.

• Make theft more difficult by removing any easy access to building roofs, such as water butts, waste bins and tall trees located near to the building.

• Store ladders in a secure place. This is particularly important when building work involving scaffolding is taking place.

• Maximise surveillance levels, including cutting back tall trees and shrubs.

• Protect the lower sections of lightning conductor ribbons.

• Consider the use of a lighting scheme at roof level where metal roof coverings are present.

• Security mark metal goods. SmartWater is a security marking product that forensically links thieves to crime scenes and is being successfully used to combat thetheft of metals. SmartWater can be used on property that is exposed to the elements and doesn’t damage items when it is applied to them.

Improving securityImproving security

Locking Up

Adopt a set procedure for securing your place of worship. This should include:

• A routine check that all entrance doors, windows and skylights are locked.• A final building check before securing the

premises to ensure that no one is hidden in the toilets or other rooms.

• Periodic checks on all security fixtures and fittings, such as locks, catches and bolts.

Keys

• Ensure there is a system of control for the safe storage and issuing of keys.

• Regularly audit your stock of keys to highlight the exact location of every key and identify any that are missing.

• If keys are missing, change the locks immediately.

Preventing theft

• Valuable items such as computers or offer-tory boxes should be locked away in secure rooms or put in purpose-built containers when not in use.

• Rooms containing valuable equipment or property should be kept locked and alarmed when not in use.• Security mark property with an ultra violet

marker or other commercial marking system to identify the owner and deter thieves.

• Ensure that any tools are securely stored away in lockable cabinets.

• Keep cash on the premises to a minimum and keep it secure in a safe.

Lighting

• Unlit areas can provide a hiding place for thieves. It is important that you install suitable and effective lighting.

• Ensure that there are no shaded areas on your premises.

• Lights with a sensor that switch the lights on when movement is detected can be very effective. The better systems have a sepa-rate sensor to cover vulnerable areas.

• Consider using low wattage lights that automatically switch on at dusk and remain on until dawn. They can also reduce lighting costs.

Improving security

Alarms

Install an intruder alarm. Alarms should have anautomatic cut off after 20 minutes. Choose the correct alarm for you and your premises. Ensure there is a nominated person for setting the alarm each day.

For an alarm to be fully effective it must:• Meet the appropriate standards.• Meet any conditions set by your insurer.• Be maintained regularly and inspected by a

member of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) or Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB).

Types of alarm

When a Remote Signalling Alarm is activated the system automatically informs a monitoring company that can (if appropriate) notify the police. This type of alarm is the most effective available and is particularly suited forisolated premises or when you do not want to rely on others to contact the police in the event of a break in. Monitoring companies for this type of alarm usually charge a fee.

An Audible Only Alarm activates a bell or siren to deter a burglar and to attract the attention ofneighbours or passers by. Nationally, the policereceive thousands of this type of alarm call every year. Only a few are genuine.

Following national guidelines, police will only attend audible alarm activations if there is an additional indication of a burglary, such as an open door or a broken window.

CCTV systems

CCTV systems can be an effective and useful tool for preventing and investigating crime.

Careful consideration must be given to the placement and management of any CCTV system.

For the system to be effective you must:• Clean the camera and recording equipment regularly.• Store all recording equipment and recorded

material in a locked cabinet to prevent a thief from removing evidence while on the premises.

Continued overleaf5

Improving security

CCTV systems - continued

• If using tapes, have one tape clearly identi-fied for each day of the month. Use a tape 12 times a year only before replacing it. Replace tapes annually.

• Store a recorded tape or digital image for 31 days before recording over it.

• Tapes must be changed regularly to ensure you are recording a clear image.

• Ensure the time and date settings are cor-rect. This will avoid confusion about when an incident occurred. It also removes the op-portunity for a defendant to challenge the evidence of recordings in court.

• Display signs to warn the public that they are being recorded.

• Face the camera towards the doorway so you get a clear head and shoulders im-age of everybody entering and leaving the premises.

• To avoid recording a silhouette image when cameras are pointing at doorways, you should have a backlight to limit the effects of the sun shining through the doors.

Most non-domestic CCTV systems must be registered with the Information Commissioner in order to comply with the Data Protection Act.

In order for the CCTV system to be legal there must be clear signage stating:

• The name of the operator• The purpose of the system, for example,

crime prevention• A contact telephone number.

For more information on the legal requirements for using CCTV, contact the Information Commissioner’s Office helpline on 0303 123 1113 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or visit www.ico.gov.uk

Improving security

Security Marking

Security marking improves the chances of police reuniting stolen property with its lawful owner if it is stolen and later recovered.

It can also assist in criminal investigations by providing valuable evidence, which maylead to a successful prosecution.

Various methods of security marking are available and include:• SmartWater• Labels, plates and stickers• Postcoding• Engraving and chemical etching• Barcodes• Chemical trace• Tracking devices• Identification tags• Micro-marking• Online registration databases, such as www.immobilise.com• Serial number and warranty databases• Photographic databases

If you use one of these methods you should ensure that it identifies that the item belongs to you. Always mark items in a prominent position to deter potential thieves. Check the security markings on your property at least every 12 months.

Every item should have a secure and visible mark that will help us return it to you if it is stolen and later recovered.

Listed Buildings

Places of worship make a significant contribution to the heritage and life of the nation, demonstrating the finest design, work-manship and decoration of their generation, while representing the most recognisable features of our rural landscape and urban areas.

Places of worship can be included on a list compiled by the Secretary of State that identifies those buildings, which are assessed as being of special architectural or historic interest, therefore merit special protection measures.

The historic fabric and aesthetics of places of worship must be considered before any con-sideration is made to the installation of doors, alarms or CCTV. If additional security measures are considered, a Faculty or planning permis-sion may be required.

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Improving security

Your inventory

Serial number/security marking

Description, size, colour

Make and model Value

Keep this completed inventory safe with your insurance documents for future reference.

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Your inventory

Self assessment checklist

This security assessment is intended as a guide to improving the security of your premises. Please spend some time completing the checklist to help you identify any possible weaknesses at your premises.

Building security

Are the boundaries clearly de-fined?

Do you have prominent signage directing visitors to a single en-trance or exit?

Have all people using the premis-es been briefed on your security procedures?

Have you eliminated recesses that can give cover to intruders?

Locking up

Is there an established procedure for locking up the building?

Are all doors locked and windows and skylights secured at the end of opening hours?

Are rooms such as toilets and storerooms checked to ensure there is no one hidden inside be-fore they are locked?

Y N

Y N

Y N

Y N

Y N

Keys

Is the issuing of keys subject to control within your organisation?

Do you have an up-to-date inventory of issued keys?

Are regular key audits carried out?

Are locks changed if keys are missing?

Preventing theft

Do you secure storerooms or containers where valuable items are kept?

Are rooms containing valuable equipment and items kept locked and alarmed when not in use?

Is property security marked to identify you or your place of worship as the owner?

Do you have signs displayed to show thieves that the property is security marked?

Is cash secure, out of sight and kept to a minimum on your premises?

Y N

Y N

Y N

Y N

Y N

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Y N

NY

NY

Y N

Y N

Y N

Self assessment checklist

Self assessment checklist

Lights and alarms

Is external security lighting installed so that your premises are well lit when not in use?

Has an intruder alarm been installed?

Does the alarm meet the standards described in this guide?

Is the alarm maintained regularly and inspected by the appropriate body?

Has a particular person been nominated to set the alarm at the end of each day?

Y N

Y N

Y N

Y N

Y N

CCTV

Is a CCTV system installed?

Is it regularly maintained?

Are recording equipment and recorded materials stored in a secure cabinet?

Is a separate tape used for every day of the month (if using a tape system)?

Are the time and date settings regularly checked to ensure they are correct?

Are signs displayed to warn the public that they are being recorded?

Is there clear signage stating the name of the CCTV operator, the purpose of use and a contact telephone number?

Does the system need to be registered with the Information Commissioner?

Y N

Y N

Y N

Y N

Y N

This security assessment is intended as a guide only. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adopted appropriate procedures to deter thieves from entering your premises.

For more advice please contact your local police station, call 101 or visit www.nottinghamshire.police.uk

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N

N

Y

Y

Y N

Self assessment checklist

Notts Business Watch

Notts Business Watch is part of an electronic messaging system supported by Nottinghamshire Police and other public bodies across the county, called Neighbourhood Alert.

The system enables authorised police officers and staff to keep you informed of crime alerts and appeals, local incidents and crime prevention advice using text, email and voice messages direct to you.

Notts Business Watch is open to the whole business community, including local churches, mosques and other faith buildings. By working together with the business community, we aim to prevent crimes that are often committed against places of worship, including criminal damage and theft.

By signing up to the system, you will also have the opportunity to become part of a wider faith com-munity and share information with each other and the police.

You will be kept informed of policing and crime issues relevant to your local area and business type. They system allows you to communicate regularly with us at the touch of a button, which we hope will reassure you that we will act on your concerns and work with you to cut crime in your area.

To register for alerts from Notts Business Watch visit www.nottsbusinesswatch.co.uk or call us on 101 to request a paper registration form.

If you would like to find out more about Notts Business Watch, contact Nottinghamshire Police’s Pre Crime Unit on 101, ext. 800 3011 or email nottinghamshirealert@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk

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Notts Business Watch

For more advice on crime prevention contact Nottinghamshire Police’s Pre Crime Unit

Arrow CentreHucknall

Nottinghamshire NG15 8AY

Tel: 101

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If you have information about criminals operating in your area call Crimestoppers anonymously on

0800 555 111

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