Policing Around Places of Worship - Statement from the Head of Community Engagement for the Metropolitan Police

Over the next few days, communities of different faiths will congregate across London to celebrate their holy days. We know many will reflect on the terrible events of last Saturday evening in their readings and prayers but also that some will feel worried and vulnerable about their safety as they gather in their places of worship.

To help support these communities, we have increased the number of officers on the streets to reassure local people that they are able to go about their daily lives in peace and without fear of harassment or intimidation.

Dedicated Ward Officers are making contact with their local places of worship to encourage them to report hate crimes and to reassure those who congregate there that the police will take these crimes seriously.

The Metropolitan Police has made more than 25 arrests for hate crime offences since Saturday.

We have long since recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and the hidden nature of this crime, which remains largely under-reported. The MPS stands together with policing partners, colleagues and groups to investigate all hate crime allegations, support victims and their families, and bring perpetrators to justice.

"We would appeal to anyone who witnesses or suffers any hate of any type to immediately report it so that action can quickly be taken and catch those responsible."

Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app or through community reporting methods such as Tell MAMA, Galop, or the CST.

Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

Head of Community Engagement for the Metropolitan Police

Free Church Group Workshop on End of Life Care

17th July 2017, 11:00 – 15:30

Free Churches House, 27 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HH

Come and join the conversation about Palliative Care and Dying matters, and see how to strengthen and develop this important ministry in your church and local community. The day will be a mixture of keynote speakers and interactive discussions.

Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach to specialised medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, physical stress, and mental stress of a serious illness - whatever the diagnosis. The goal of such therapy is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family.

This care also includes Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care, which forms the mediator for other care.

This day seeks to:-

• place that care at the center of palliative care in the community
• explore the churches role in this care
• engage withthe National Conversation on Dying Matters

Speakers for the day will include:-

• Revd Meg Burton, College of Health Care Chaplains lead on End of Life Care, Lead Chaplain at St Johns Hospice in Doncaster and Methodist Minister
• Claire Henry  from the Dying Matters Team at the National Council for Palliative Care
• Revd Debbie Hodge, Secretary for Health Care Chaplaincy Free Churches Group and project leader for Community Chaplaincy for NHS England

Outcomes for the day

At the end of the day participants will have:

1. Gained knowledge of The Dying Matters Conversation and its potential to help church congregations and the wider community deal with death and dying.
2. Explored the concept of Spiritual support for those receiving palliative care in the community and the potential of the local church to engage with this agenda
3. Started an action plan of local / denomination involvement in the Dying Matters and palliative care agenda.

Who should attend?

• Denominational leaders or those who are responsible for Ministry
• Local church/congregation leaders
• Those involved at national or local level with some responsibility for pastoral care, care of the dying and their families
• Those interested in caring for the needs of the dying and their families

The workshop and lunch provided is at no cost to attendees.

Please RSVP to Sabina Williams at 0203 651 8334 or

email: sabina.williams@freechurches.org.uk

Change in Threat Level for International Terrorism to CRITICAL

London Regional Counter Terrorism Protective Security Update

Last night the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the threat level for international terrorism in the UK to CRITICAL. This means that their assessment is not only that an attack remains highly likely but a further attack may be imminent.

For more information, please click here.