Mosques and Muslim centres will receive extra protection funding following a spike in anti-Muslim hate crimes across the UK
Muslim communities across the UK are to benefit from a £10 million funding increase aimed at protecting mosques and faith centres from hate crimes and targeted attacks, the Prime Minister has announced.
The funding comes in response to a sharp 19% rise in anti-Muslim hate crime recorded up to March 2025, with Muslims making up 44% of all victims of religiously motivated crimes. The announcement follows an arson attack on Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex earlier this month, which drew widespread condemnation.
The new investment will be used for improved security measures including CCTV, alarm systems, reinforced fencing and security staff, with a focus on places previously targeted or considered vulnerable. It brings the total allocated under the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme this year to nearly £40 million.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking after visiting Peacehaven Mosque, said:
“Britain is a proud and tolerant country. Attacks on any community are attacks on all of us. This funding ensures Muslim communities have the protection they need to live in peace and safety.”
The uplift is part of the government’s broader Plan for Change, a programme aiming to create safer streets and inclusive communities. The Plan comes amid renewed calls for action after violent incidents over the summer in towns such as Southport, Hull and Sunderland, where several mosques were targeted, causing distress among worshippers.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood added:
“The right to practise religion free from intimidation and violence is non-negotiable. Hate has no place in Britain, and this government stands united with our Muslim communities.”
The British Muslim Trust has welcomed the funding but stressed that many Muslims remain fearful.
Akeela Ahmed, CEO, said:
“Mosques, places of peace and prayer, have been set on fire and defaced, while worshippers have been verbally and physically abused. This funding is a vital step towards rebuilding safety and trust.”
The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme was first introduced in 2019 but has been criticised in recent years for being underfunded. The latest uplift is expected to significantly widen its reach, enabling hundreds more sites to apply for security upgrades.
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