British churches have been urged to review security arrangements as a precaution after the terrorist attack in Rouen.

Eastern Daily Press: General view of the church where a priest was killed in an attack in Saint Etienne du Rouvray, Normandy, France. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)General view of the church where a priest was killed in an attack in Saint Etienne du Rouvray, Normandy, France. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The National Police Chiefs' Council said the Christian community should be 'alert but not alarmed' and report concerns.

There are an estimated 47,000 Christian churches, chapels and meeting houses in the UK.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: 'There is no specific intelligence relating to attacks against the Christian community in the UK.

'However, as we have seen, Daesh and other terrorist groups have targeted Christian as well as Jewish and other faith groups in the West and beyond.

'Following recent events in France, we are reiterating our protective security advice to Christian places of worship and have circulated specific advice today.

'We are also taking this opportunity to remind them to review their security arrangements as a precaution.'

He said it was part of ongoing work with faith organisations and other sectors to 'help ensure the safety and security of their staff, visitors and members'.

The threat to the UK from international terrorism currently stands at severe, meaning an attack is 'highly likely'.

Mr Basu said: 'While the threat from terrorism remains unchanged at severe we urge the public to be vigilant.

'The UK police service is working tirelessly with our partners to confront the threat and protect all our communities.'

It comes after a priest was killed in a terrorist attack by Islamic State in a church near Norwich's twin city of Rouen on Tuesday.

The attack happened in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen, where two attackers took five people hostage during morning mass before murdering 84-year-old Fr Jacques Hamel.

French police later surrounded the church and shot both hostage takers dead.

Norwich and Rouen have been twinned since 1959 and Chris Rowe, chairman of The Norfolk and Norwich Rouen Friendship Association (NNRFA) said it appears that soft targets are now being attacked.

'It seems now that people are picking on soft targets and not big centres where there is lots of security' he said. 'Rouen certainly was a soft target and beggars belief it was a priest in his own church.

'We all believe in a god, whatever we call it and I just can't understand the thinking behind these people. It is farcical that they would pick on such a soft target like a church.'

In a separate announcement, the Government announced a new £2.4 million fund for security measures at places of worship as part of efforts to tackle hate crime.

A Church of England spokesman said: 'Church buildings are public buildings that are open to all. Where there are known risks, churches take measures to ensure the safety and security of worshippers and visitors.

'We welcome the Home Office announcement today of funding for security measures for places of worship, which will benefit all faith communities.

'All public ministry involves being vulnerable to others, so security measures are good sense in uncertain times.'