UK churches given terror alert guidelines

Churches across the UK have been issued counter-terrorism advice, including using CCTVs and hiring bouncers at the door during services, following the murder of an elderly Catholic priest by two Islamic State (IS) militants in France last month.

"Every church should have CCTV and someone stood on the door. Firstly, to welcome people; secondly, to act as a spotter if someone is approaching the church carrying a weapon," said Nick Tolson, chief of the UK's National Churches Trust, who has drafted the guidance released this week.

"People looking to attack will often carry a weapon openly because they believe they are going to be killed anyway, so why hide them? The churches should also have doors that can be closed securely," he said.

The measures follow the murder of 85-year-old Catholic priest Jacques Hamel by two IS militants in France last month amid fears that similar attacks against priests could be launched in the UK as well. Tolson is a former police officer and has advised the UK Home Office on counter-terrorism measures since 2012.