Churches are vulnerable to thieves as they’re often open and unattended. You can still do a lot to make a church more secure without paying too much.
Interior security
Ideally the church should be locked at all times unless a responsible person is present.
But if you don’t want to lock it, you can still reduce the risk of theft and minimise loss. You can:
- lock the church at night
- store small valuable items in a locked vestry, cupboard or safe when not in use during the week
- lock away altarware between services and events, and display wooden or base metal substitutes
- consider discreetly chaining antique furniture and other valuables to floor and wall to deter opportunist thieves
- keep valuables in a safe or a strong room when not being used for a service
- deposit valuables that are not in regular use, including communion plates, at the bank
- make sure a responsible person keeps keys in a secure place away from the church
- secure the vestry with good-quality locks and bars at the windows
- ensure all locks conform to BS 3621 specification, or higher
- photograph all property (with a coin to indicate size) and keep a log in a safe place away from the church
- empty the offertory box daily and display a notice saying so
- protect stained-glass windows from the outside with polycarbonate sheet
Exterior security
You can:
- plant a hedge that is thick and difficult to penetrate, such as hawthorn, privet, holly, yew or laurel
- apply anti-climb paint and anti-climb devices to fall-pipes not less than eight feet from the ground, and display notices saying so
- make sure sheds and outbuildings are well maintained and secured; thieves use the tools and machinery in them to break in
- install effective security lighting
- keep open only one access to the cellar (one within the church building) and brick the others up; if you can’t, secure all entrances internally with good-quality frames and five-lever deadlocks
Make sure church doors:
- can’t be opened from the inside when locked; it’s best to use mortice deadlocks to a minimum of BS 3621
- are substantially made with strong hinges and effective frames, and well maintained
You should use an intruder alarm because:
- its visible presence is a very good deterrent
- it gives the thief much less time to commit the crime
- alarms are surprisingly cheap and very cost-effective
- you can design a system to suit individual buildings or areas to cut down on expensive false calls
- there are so many types, from electronic circuits on doors and windows, to surprisingly inexpensive movement detectors