French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve has called for strengthening security at churches during Christmas because of the prevailing terror threat against the backdrop of the November 13 attacks in Paris, reports RFI.
In a note sent to local authorities and police, Cazeneuve called on the heads of parishes to strengthen protection measures next week.
A similar recommendation was sent to them after a foiled attack against at least one church in Paris last April.
According to police sources, Cazeneuve said in the note that similar to measures taken in department stores and museums, it will be necessary for church goers to open their coats.
He cited the context of very strong threat to France after the jihadist attacks that killed 130 people dead and hundreds wounded, adding churches had symbolic force as potential targets.
On April 19 this year, a 24-year-old Algerian Sid Ahmed Ghlam 24, was arrested in Paris on suspicion of killing a woman who was found shot dead in the passenger seat of her car, and of planning an attack on a church in the Paris suburb of Villejuif.
Prosecutors found documents about Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State at his home.