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Christian Community In UK Warned To Be On Alert

Christian Community In UK Warned To Be On Alert

The Christian community in the UK has been warned to be alert following the murder of a Catholic priest in Normandy.

The killers of 86-year-old Father Jacques Hamel filmed the knife attack at a parish church in the latest IS-linked incident in France.

There is no specific intelligence relating to similar attacks in Britain - and while the National Police Chiefs' Council insists the Christian community should not be alarmed, they have issued advice.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: "There is no specific intelligence relating to attacks against the Christian community in the UK.

"However, as we have seen, Daesh (IS) and other terrorist groups have targeted Christian as well as Jewish and other faith groups in the West and beyond.

"Following recent events in France, we are reiterating our protective security advice to Christian places of worship and have circulated specific advice today.

"We are also taking this opportunity to remind them to review their security arrangements as a precaution."

At a press conference in Downing Street, Prime Minister Theresa May offered her condolences to the French people, saying: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.

"We all face a terror threat. If you look at the national threat level here in the United Kingdom, it is at severe. That means that a terrorist attack is highly likely.

"What is necessary is for us all to work together, and stand shoulder to shoulder with France. We offer them every support we have in dealing with this issue and this threat that they, and the rest of us, are facing.

"But on one thing, I think, we are all absolutely clear, and that is the terrorists will not prevail.

"They are trying to destroy our way of life. They are trying to destroy our values. We have shared values and those values will win through and the terrorists will not win."

Following the attack, religious leaders, including those from the Muslim community, issued messages of solidarity.

One of those was Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who said: "Evil attacks the weakest, denies truth and love, is defeated through Jesus Christ. Pray for France, for victims, for their communities."