Responding to disturbances - being present as a faith leader

Should I attend?
Think through why you might attend, what do you hope to achieve by being there?
Is the presence of faith leaders being organised by an ecumenical or interfaith network?
If something is being organised, go with that group and those arrangements, rather than organising something as Methodists or on your own.
Do you have contacts in the local police that you can check in with in terms of your presence?
Talk with your minister in oversight/line manager about your intention to attend in terms of the purpose and how it might impact on other parts of your role.

At a disturbance:

Your attitude is crucial. Show respect, follow police orders. You are not there as police officers.

To avoid being mistaken for a demonstrator try not to wear clothing that matches what demonstrators are wearing (e.g. all black). Also, engage with police so they know who you are.

You may need to remove yourself from the situation for the safety of yourself or others if things get out of control. The threat of violence is real and can escalate quickly, be aware of things being thrown - rocks, glass and even petrol bombs. Wear clothes and shoes that will enable you to leave as quickly as possible.

Clearly identify yourself and have credentials easily available. Think carefully about whether you display credentials openly when surrounded by demonstrators. Is it appropriate to wear a dog collar?

Stay on the edge of crowds, not in the middle. In crowds, move in short steps to avoid tripping.

Have a constantly updated escape route in mind. Do not get cut off and surrounded. In the fog of smoke, look for curbs and pavements that can guide you away from the scene.

Be aware of the location of the nearest first aid team.

Physical fitness can be an important consideration in situations that could suddenly turn violent; if your mobility is limited weigh up the risks in advance.

Wherever possible buddy up with someone else so you’re not on your own. Look out for and, when appropriate, team up with other ministers, faith leaders.

Charge your mobile before you go out. Carry a portable phone charger if you think you’ll be out for a while.

Practice “situational awareness.” Constantly scan your surroundings as crowds move. Set the timer on your phone to go off every 15 minutes to remind you to look around, identify exits, assess police interactions with demonstrators, determine whether the situation is escalating and whether you may be doing something illegal, such as trespassing on private property.

Consider carrying a grab bag, with a small first aid kit, water bottle, washcloth, eye protection, torch and a copy of some ID.

Stay in constant contact Make someone aware of your intentions and keep in contact with them. Consider using GPS location apps that map movement.

MEDIA and SOCIAL MEDIA

Be especially careful in how you respond to the media and what you share. Stick to authorised sources of information. Contact the Communications Team if required.

Be mindful not to be disparaging when describing parts of our communities

Keep contact details in your phone of your District Chair or Superintendent the Communications Team, someone from your leadership team, and make sure they all know you are going out and what time you are expected back. Consider allowing someone to monitor your location, if appropriate, for the duration of the event.

Safety first When you take undue risks, you endanger those who might have to rescue you – stay safe.

Property

Think about your properties and whether you need to take any action? Contact your insurance company for security advice. How might you protect regular users of the building? Do you need to close for a period?

Can your buildings be safe places for people to rest in, find sanctuary, use toilets and get refreshments? If so, weigh the risk of offering such hospitality against the possibilities of your buildings being targets for those wanting to cause trouble.

Can your buildings be opened once things have moved on, for prayer, for counselling, for comfort? A reminder that the Media Team are on call 24/7 to support with media and communications issues. With the current issues around the country, we are very happy to field media enquiries and support you with interview preparation.

Communications

For more information please email: mediaoffice@methodistchurch.org.uk or just keep the on-call number handy: 07799 902580. It’ll either go through to Jill Moody (Director of Communications) or Mike Ivatt (Senior Media Officer) and they are happy to be contacted out of hours and at weekends.