Improving safety, security of religious premises recommended

A working group made a set of recommendations for improving the safety and security of the premises of religious communities.

The working group appointed by the Ministry of the Interior last year published its report on Wednesday, said the ministry in a press release.

The report recommended that religious communities systematically improve the safety and security of premises. To this end, the working group has drawn up a model safety and security plan for use by the communities.

On 20 July 2020, the Ministry of the Interior set up a working group to identify security threats to the premises of religious communities.

The task of the working group was to draw up proposals for improving safety and security. The reason for setting up the working group was the need to improve the safety and security of religious premises due to the recent terrorist attacks against these premises.

The report also suggested to improve the monitoring of the security situation, and enhancing the training and expertise in safety and security matters.

The report also draws attention to the organisation and management of the safety and security functions of the premises of religious communities and the guidance for these functions.

“It would be important for religious communities to have a safety and security plan in future, which covers, for example security-related measures and those responsible for safety and security matters. The plan also needs to be regularly updated. Our working group has drawn up a complete model for a safety and security plan to facilitate and support the safety and security work of religious communities,” said Tarja Mankkinen, Head of Development from the Ministry of the Interior.

The report of the working group states that the religious communities in which safety and security measures have been developed for a longer time can make use of the safety and security plan attached to the report in their activities.

“I would advise that more than one key person should be involved in filling in the safety and security plan. In this way, different perspectives will be taken into account in the plan. Additionally, people who use the premises should know how to act in different situations,” said Mankkinen.