Inspector Asare said in formulating a church security policy, inputs must be taken from all stakeholders to get a pool of security needs and threats which would serve as a basis of what should be contained in the policy.

He said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tema after sensitizing congregants of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Redemption Congregation at Tema Community Nine on the need to take their security issues seriously.

He added that the church must collaborate with the police and other security agencies within their locality to help in getting the required policy and implementing the same for the safety of the church and the community they operated from.

He stated that after formulating the policy leadership of the church and its various departments must receive the needed security training to put them in a better position to implement it.

According to him, step-by-step security measures put in place must be known to all members of the church including the children to ensure that they were well informed and know what to do in case of emergency during service.

He also suggested that a security team and patrol team must be formed to monitor the security situation in and around the church at all times, especially during service.

Inspector Asare said it was not enough to have security installations such as the close circuit television (CCTV) without proper monitoring stressing that “just installing it is not enough, do proper monitoring to know what’s happening on the premises, some of the CCTV must also face the roadside, entrances among others.”

He said the need for proper security at churches could not be overemphasized, especially due to the activities of terrorist who mostly attack churches during service.

Touching on personal security, he urged the public to desist from focusing too much on chatting on their phones while in public and rather concentrate on things and people around them.

Inspector Asare advised people to walk in groups and avoid isolated areas, especially when returning home from school, church, and town among others in the night.

He also encouraged people to scan their surroundings and listen to their instinct at all times to avoid falling into the hands of criminals.

He said it was important people exchange numbers with their neighbours as well as know each other so that in times of security needs when they are not able to fend for themselves their neighbours would take the responsibility to contact the security agencies for them.

He implored people to always call the Police on 18555 or 191 for assistance whenever they needed help.