From: Evangelical Focus.
The United Kingdom Home Office recently launched the Faith Security Training (FST) programme, for anyone in England and Wales who “has responsibility for the safety or security of a place of worship or associated community centre”.
The FST, delivered by specialists through CDS Defence & Security, aims to support faith groups “to strengthen their security knowledge, improve preparedness, and reduce the risk and impact of hate crime and other serious incidents”.
It has a multi-faith format, with specific modules for Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities. Free training sessions are available in person at places of worship and community venues, as well as through live online classes and an e-learning platform.
Home Office has invested a record £77 million this year to enhance the security of religious sites, which includes £5 million for churches and other non-Jewish and non-Muslim places of worship.
“The Government is proud to work with all faith groups”
“This free training is helping faith organisations better understand security threats and prepare for incidents. It teaches them practical steps to protect their congregants and property”, Security minister Dan Jarvis told British news website, Premier Christian News
According to Jarvis, “the Government is proud to work closely with churches and all faith groups to keep their communities safe”.
Anti-Christian incidents in the UK
The Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe 2025 report of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe), shows that the United Kingdon is one of the European countries where most anti-Christian hate crimes were recorded in 2024.
Read here.