Home Office announces £28 million to fund security measures for places of worship
The funding, announced on 21 June 2023, is designed to help keep places of worship and their attendees safe.
Available through two different schemes, the money is designed for physical protective security measures for mosques, churches, temples, gurdwaras and other places of worship. These may include CCTV, intruder alarms, secure fencing, or other related measures.
Mosques will also have access to an additional security guarding scheme later this year, says the Home Office. In 2021/22, 42% of religious hate crimes recorded by the Police were targeted against Muslims.
The move is said to be part of the Government’s commitment to protecting faith communities in England and Wales from hate crime and terror-related attacks.
Mr Tugendhat commented: “Freedom of religious belief and the freedom to worship are fundamental.
“We will defend against any form of hatred targeting our communities, and are committed to protecting all faiths.
“I encourage any place of worship that feels they would need assistance to apply under the schemes.”
How does the Places of Worship security funding work?
Applicants must submit evidence of their vulnerability and experience of hate crime. The funding window is open until 15 August 2023 and successful sites will be notified from November 2023.
The two schemes are:
Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme
Protective Security for Mosques Scheme
Those applying must be able to show they have experienced hate crime at their place of worship or demonstrate they feel their place of worship is vulnerable to hate crime.
Applications cover places of worship or associated faith community centres located in England and Wales.
The funding is intended to cover an array of physical security measures, though applicants do not need to decide the specific measures in the application process. If successful, a site survey will be undertaken with security systems integrator, Esotec Limited, based on recommendations made to them by the police Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO). Measures may include:
CCTV (fixed cameras, not pan-tilt cameras)
secure fencing and/or railings (no more than 2.1m high)
manually operated pedestrian and vehicle gates
door hardening, locks and mailbox / mail bag
reinforcing glazed windows (with anti-shatter film or bars/grilles only)
intruder alarms including integrated smoke/heat detection
door entry access control (fob or keypad)
video intercom systems
lighting (building mounted)
If you have concerns about your current security or would like to receive a quotation please contact us.
