CHURCH leaders and their congregations have been advised to remain alert following the tragic murder of an 85-year-old priest in France on Tuesday.

Two men claiming to belong to the Islamic State terrorist group cut the throat of Father Jacques Hamel in his church in Rouen, Normandy, as he was conducting morning mass.

Intelligence agency MI5 has warned that a terror threat to the UK is increasing and an attack is 'highly likely' and British churches have been urged to review security arrangements as a precaution.

But “Alert, not alarmed” was the advice given by the diocese of Bristol, yesterday, with the Rt Revd Lee Rayfield, Bishop of Swindon, saying: “The church, like wider society, should not overreact to these events because it plays into the agenda of those who are looking to destabilise our communities.

“We already have arrangements to protect clergy which are wise and appropriate. As far as possible our churches will remain open and available for anybody in need and those who wish to visit them.”

Daphne Hardwick, associate minister at Christ Church in Old Town, said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the murder of Father Jacques Hamel and our prayers and thoughts are with members of the congregation, the people of Rouen and France as a whole.”

The Rt Revd Mike Hill, Bishop of Bristol, also offered his prayers to the people of France.

He said: “With shock and revulsion we read in our newspapers of the horrific and cowardly attack in Normandy perpetrated on an 87-year-old priest who was simply going about his ministry.

“This is yet another tragic example to add to the litany of disgraceful and horrendous violence inspired by IS across Europe.

“Our prayers are with all who have been injured and/or bereaved in the recent spate of abhorrent violence in mainland Europe.

“In the Diocese of Bristol, we are aware that these times require both calm and extra vigilance. We shall take further advice to keep people in our care safe.”

However, some church-goers in Swindon are confident that there is nothing to fear.

Barbara Aftelak, secretary of Swindon Churches Together, said: “I don’t think it occurs to us that something like that would happen here.

“We don’t have issues with guns like other countries have and I think it’d be much more difficult to carry out an attack here.

“When meeting with people from other churches I haven’t detected any sense that there is a problem. There’s no fear at all and absolutely no question about feeling unsafe.

“I think the concern in Swindon is for the people of the Harbour Project, that’s a much more relevant issue for Swindon’s churches.”

Church leaders to review security plans and encourage their flocks to be vigilant but no current intelligence is thought to suggest an attack of this nature is planned in this country. 
Any suspicious behaviour should be reported immediately through 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321.