General Security - The Federation of Synagogues

In general, when approaching the synagogue building for the first time each day, an external visual check should be carried out (looking for broken or open windows or for doors left ajar etc). Once inside a visual check should also be completed. Both the internal and external checks should include looking out for any unusual or unexpected packages.

Access Control

If you have a full-time security guard or a part-time security guard/security rota on the premises, it is their responsibility to ensure security of the building is maintained. It is the Security Officer’s duty to control access to the building
If your synagogue has a door code, then it is up to the Chair in conjunction with the Head of Security (if appointed) to decide whom the code should be disclosed to. If the door code is disclosed by accident, then report it immediately to the Chair/Head of Security.
If keys to building are to be distributed, please ensure that a register of the key holders is recorded and held at the synagogue office and that only the named persons have access to those keys. Please ensure that these are not lent out. If they get lost/stolen report it immediately to the Chair /Head of Security and the police.
Please be aware of your surroundings and check before entering the building to ensure you are not being followed.
Do not open the door to anyone. If you see someone at the front doors, please report to the Security Officer. If you see a suspicious person, item or vehicle nearby the building please report to the Security Officers immediately.

Post/Couriers

If you have a have a full-time security officer, it is their duty to collect and check the post prior to delivering to the synagogue office. Members of staff should inform security of all expected parcels and deliveries. Couriers should not be allowed into the building. The security officers should inspect the parcel outside of the front door and deliver to reception. Announced/unexpected deliveries and parcels should be rejected unless the security officer can contact and confirm the delivery with the addressee.
If you do not have a full-time security officer, be vigilant when it comes to post and if in doubt it is better to reject than allow entry.

Visitor Procedure

Generally, most visitors are expected, however some visitors will turn up unannounced and therefore it is essential that the following procedure is adhered to.

Please inform reception/security of any visitors to the building that you are expecting as soon as possible.
All visitors should be screened before entry and if necessary questioned before they are granted access to the building. Unexpected visitors must be asked to wait outside and the Security Officer should contact the relevant staff member for confirmation, only then should the visitor be allowed entry.
All visitors must sign in on arrival and be given a visitor’s badge.
Visitors should be accompanied in the building at all times.
Visitors must sign out on completion of their visit and return the badge to reception.
Please note that signing in and out should not be carried out on Shabbos or Yom Tov.

Parking

Parked cars can be a security risk and it is the responsibility of the security officer or whomever has been delegated with the responsibility to ensure that only vehicles that can be identified and attributed to visitors or members of staff are allowed to park on the premises.

If you allow parking on-site during the week or for a simcha it is recommended for security reasons that you take the registration numbers of those that will be parking in advance.

If you do notice an unidentified car on the premises, check with security that they have been made aware of whom it belongs to. If you are unable to identify the owner after checks have been made, either call CST/the police and/or the local council.

Police and CST

If you see/hear anything suspicious report it to the security guard/CST.
In an emergency please call the police on 999. CST’s emergency number is 0800 032 3263.
If you receive threatening calls or emails report this to the police and CST.
If you are the last person in the building, make sure that all the windows are shut that the doors that need to be secured are locked and that the alarm is set correctly.

Emergency Evacuation/Invacuation

It is recommended that you carry out at least one emergency evacuation drill per year.

An emergency action plan should be drawn up and a person appointed to coordinate the evacuation. Ideally this should be the same person who would be responsible for coordinating an evacuation in a real emergency.

Once the evacuation has taken place a report should be written including details of what went well and areas for improvement. This can then be used to formulate a further action plan and inform future drills.

Click here for sample emergency evacuation and invacuation plans, which can be adapted to suit each synagogues’ circumstances.