Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon from the Metropolitan Police said: “a number of churches were targeted during the attacks but we stand together with communities of all faiths, and we will continue to work with our communities and our partners to counter the threat no matter where it comes from.”

The police are advising UK churches, cathedrals and other places of worship to carry out risk assessments and develop emergency plans.

The Government and the police have developed an online training package called ‘ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Awareness eLearning’ which builds on the anti-terrorism slogan “Run. Hide. Tell.”

Police say say the online course offers practical advice for churches and identifies some simple steps which could help keep congregations safe.

Dean Haydon, said the authorities rely on a combination of intelligence alongside information from the public to protect people. 

“Together with our intelligence partners we continually monitor the varied threats we face, including to and around places of worship and specific communities across the country, to ensure we have the most appropriate protective security measures in place to keep people safe.

“We stand together with Sri Lankan communities and all those who have been affected and left shocked and horrified by these attacks in Sri Lanka.”

The police are keen for people to any suspicious…

She also pointed out that many politicians are seemingly avoiding using the word ‘Christian’, by retweeting screenshots of tweets by Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and Julian Castro referring to the victims as ‘Easter worshippers’.

Her main concern was that Special counsel Robert Mueller was approached by a reporter from US channel MSNBC as he was getting in his car on Sunday, asking him about whether he will testify before Congress about his report into potential collusion between President Donald Trump and Russia in the 2016 election.

The lawyer was asked to do an investigation into the matter but found no interference. However, Mueller did say that it was a difficult decision not to charge Trump with obstructing the justice process because of his attempts to get rid of people investigating him.

In response to the reporter’s questions, Mueller replied: “No comment” and got in his car, which was followed by the reporter back in the studio saying; “I think it’s accurate to characterise the Director Mueller today as ‘tight-lipped’ in response to my questions!”

Christian actor Heaton said: “Today is Easter Sunday, the holiest day of the Christian calendar. Some of the faithful were murdered today while they worshiped. But you ambush Robert Mueller outside of his church and chuckle about it afterward. This is loathesome. Shame on you.”

Hello @MSNBC. Today is…

Sri Lanka’s defence minister said the government had information that the bombings – which have killed at least 321 people – were in response to last month’s shootings in Christchurch.

Ruwan Wijewardene did not disclose evidence to support his claim. He also accused security agencies of “weakness” which failed to prevent the nine blasts.

He told Parliament: “By now it has been established that the intelligence units were aware of this attack and a group of responsible people were informed about the impending attack.

“However, this information has been circulated among only a few officials.”

A three-minute national silence was marked on Tuesday to remember the bombings, while mass funerals for some of the victims were held.

It seems warnings from international intelligence bodies that a local militant group was preparing attacks were not passed on to the prime minister’s office until after the killings, Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Christian Reformed Church in Sri Lanka urged believers in the UK to uphold the country in prayer.

President of the church, Shirley Faber said: “Children are remaining without parents and, sometimes, parents have lost their children.

“It’s a very sad situation…we never expected this would be happening.”

“Pray for the…

Bids for a share of the £1.6 million Places of Worship scheme – funding extra protection and security measures – will be accepted from July this year, the Home Office added.

Speaking on Good Friday, Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “In the coming days and weeks, millions of people from different faiths will be marking religious festivals up and down the UK.

“At this time of reflection, devotion and celebration, it’s vital everyone feels safe and protected in the places of worship they attend.

“That’s why we’ve invested another £1.6 million into our Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme and are encouraging religious organisations to apply.”

Funding for the scheme and improvements to the application process were announced in the wake of the mosque attacks in Christchurch which left 50 people dead.

Minister for Counter Extremism Baroness Williams said: “No one should be abused or attacked, because of their faith.

“The Government is committed to not only pursuing perpetrators of these horrendous crimes but also protecting victims.

“The Hate Crime Action Plan, refreshed in 2018, commits to providing the Places of Worship scheme, as well as funding community-led projects to tackle hate crime and increase reporting of these crimes.”