Open churches

• Places of worship should ALWAYS be locked at night. This is an uncompromising piece of advice based upon the responsibility of society to seek to protect its heritage.
• Isolated buildings are more vulnerable than those with natural surveillance from surrounding occupied properties.
• Unlocked buildings are more vulnerable to theft and damage than locked ones.
• Places of worship which are left unlocked have a reduced risk of damage if an "official" is always present.
• Theft of property is less likely if valuables are removed to a secure place when not in use.

The options available, are:

• To leave the building open and unattended at all hours (which is not advised).
• To lock at night and leave unlocked and unattended during the day.
• To lock at night and unlocked during the day with occasional attention, perhaps using the local residents or casual visits by members of the congregation.
• To lock at night and provide an attendant (perhaps on a rota system) at all times whilst open during the day.
• To lock at night and encourage ways to make your place of worship subject to regular use during the day.