The UK government has committed an additional £10 million to strengthen security around Muslim faith centres across the country, a move sparked by rising incidents of religiously-motivated hate crimes and targeted attacks.
Background to the Decision
A suspected arson attack on a mosque in East Sussex earlier this month sparked alarm and triggered the government’s pledge. The faith centre, which serves a local Muslim community, saw its entrance and a nearby vehicle torched. While no injuries were reported, the incident has become emblematic of the growing threats faced by faith communities. Stats released for the year ending March 2025 show anti-Muslim hate crimes rose by almost 19 % to over 3,199 offences.
What the Funding Will Do
The funds will extend the existing Protecting Security for Mosques Scheme and provide:
- CCTV and alarm upgrades in vulnerable centres;
- Secure fencing and perimeter improvements;
- Funding for temporary security staff at high-risk institutions;
- Enhanced support and liaison between law enforcement and faith communities.
Government Message
The Prime Minister emphasised that attacks on any community are attacks on national values. The Home Secretary reinforced the point, stating Britain stands united against hate and is committed to protecting places of worship and faith spaces. The funding announcement forms part of broader efforts to tackle religious hate crime and strengthen community cohesion.
Response from Muslim Communities
Leaders within UK Muslim communities welcomed the investment as a necessary step but noted that funding alone will not address deeper issues of prejudice and exclusion. Many faith centres have long sought more proactive and preventive measures — including education, community engagement and long-term protection strategies — alongside physical security.
Wider Context
The UK has seen a documented rise in religious hate crimes in recent years. While the new £10 million does not address all faith communities, it signals a shift: faith centres are now getting visible and tangible state support for physical safety. The decision also aligns with broader efforts to define and regulate Islamophobia, monitor hate incidents and reassure communities at risk.
Challenges Ahead
- Security upgrades must be accompanied by community outreach; otherwise places of worship risk becoming fortified spaces rather than open venues for worship.
- Surveillance and fencing reduce risk but could also feed perceptions of community isolation if not paired with engagement.
- Faith centres may still lack the staffing or resources to maintain heightened vigilance over time without sustained investment.
- Perpetrators will adapt; prevention and community dialogue must keep pace.
What to Watch
In the coming months, faith communities will be looking for signs that this funding is deployed effectively — whether upgraded security is delivered, whether the scheme expands to cover more centres, and whether policy reforms accompany the investment. Monitoring outcomes will be important both for communities and for policymakers.
Conclusion
The extra £10 million commitment is a meaningful step in recognising and addressing the security needs of faith organisations. Whether it will be sufficient to respond fully to the scale of the challenge remains to be seen. But for now, the message is clear: the state is signalling it will not stand by while places of worship operate in fear.
