Protecting against arson

Taking some simple steps can reduce the risk of an arson attack. The following tips can help to deter arsonists and minimise damage to the church:

• Encourage use of the buildings for church and community events.
• Seek help from neighbours, ask them to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately. 
• Repair any minor damage to the church (including graffiti) immediately and report all incidents to the police and your insurer. A damaged building can attract further damage.  
• Your local Crime Reduction Officer can provide advice. 
• Do not become complacent - carry out regular external inspections of your church buildings and grounds.

• Ensure waste is collected on at least a weekly basis. 
• If possible, use lockable bins and create a secure waste storage area.  
• Store waste in bins at least 10 meters away from the building to reduce the risk of fire spreading. 
• Site lightweight outbuildings such as sheds well away from the main building.  
• Items that can be used to assist in starting fires inside the church should be removed such as matches, newspapers and portable heaters. 
• As part of locking up procedures, check all internal doors are fully closed to help prevent a fire spreading.

• Ensure you have adequate fire extinguishers at your Methodist church. We only recommend water or carbon dioxide extinguishers in churches or halls. 
• Extinguishers should only be used to assist in extinguishing a small fire developing – your safety is still the priority.

• Ensure all doors, windows, and any external gates are locked at night.  
• Halls should be locked when not occupied. 
• Try to keep any suspicious activity visible with security lighting and not concealed by trees. 
• Some Methodist churches may benefit from protection from a fire and/or intruder alarms, or closed circuit television, that provide continual monitoring to an alarm-receiving centre.

• Ensure your church’s fire risk assessment is reviewed on a regular basis and is adjusted to reflect any changing circumstances. 
• Create a disaster recovery plan that includes emergency readiness and response procedures to help preserve key assets and enables you to continue deliver services. Having a plan of action for such scenarios can help preserve the church’s good standing in your community.