Churches, mosques, gurdwaras and temples can apply today for the second round of funding under the Government’s Places of Worship Security Funding Scheme.
Places of worship have until 29th May to apply for funding, which can be used to pay for security measures such as CCTV, alarms, external lighting and perimeter fencing.
In order to qualify, places of worship must show evidence that they are vulnerable to a hate crime attack or have experienced one within the last two years.
The first round of support under the £2.4m scheme, which was announced by the Home Secretary as part of the Hate Crime Action Plan last July, was awarded in November. This saw 45 churches, 12 mosques, one Hindu temple and one gurdwara given a total of £405,000 to help pay for security measures.
Sarah Newton, Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism, said: “Hate crime has a devastating impact on individuals and communities. It has absolutely no place in a Britain that works for everyone, and this Government is determined to stamp it out forever.
“For people of all faiths, right across the UK, their place of worship is a refuge – and an attack on that place of safety can be deeply upsetting.
“This money will help prevent hateful attacks on our places of worship, and will make it easier to prosecute these despicable crimes when they do happen.”
This funding comes after the Home Office awarded over £300,000 under a separate programme worth nearly £1m to help nine community projects which are carrying out innovative schemes to help tackle specific types of hate crime.
Anybody interested in the Places of Worship Security Funding Scheme can find further information and apply online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/places-of-worship-security-funding-scheme
The places of worship given funding
- A Mosque in North Lincolnshire, which has a history of attacks including criminal damage, hate mail, and hateful graffiti, was awarded £7,232.90 for CCTV, intruder alarms and door locks.
- A church in the West Midlands, which has experienced break-ins, vandalism and the defacement of religious texts, was awarded £10,012.80 for intruder alarms, CCTV and perimeter fencing.
- A Hindu temple in South West England, which has been subjected to hateful graffiti, was awarded £9,319.20 for CCTV, security lighting, and gated fencing.
