Britain has stepped up with a funding boost in the wake of the terror attack in Christchurch which claimed the lives of 50 people and injured 40 more on Friday 15th March.
Following the incident, police presence was stepped up at mosques across the UK to reassure communities fearful of similar attacks.
The Home Secretary Sajid Javid has boosted funding for next year’s Places of Worship Protective Security to £1.6m to reassure communities and safeguard mosques and other places of worship.
This is double the amount awarded last year. In addition a new £5m fund will be opened to provide security training.
The Places of Worship Fund, established in 2016 as part of the Government’s Hate Crime Action Plan, provides financial support for physical protective security such as fencing, lighting and CCTV. Government previously committed funding of £2.4m over three years.
So far, more than a third of grants under the Places of Worship Protective Funding scheme have been awarded to mosques.
The Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The horrific events in New Zealand are a direct attack on the values of tolerance and freedom of worship that unite us all.
“Nobody should ever fear persecution of their faith and it’s vital we stand together to reject those who seek to spread hatred and divide us.
“I know many Muslim communities are feeling vulnerable and anxious. But they should seek comfort from knowing we are doing everything to tackle hate and extremism.
“That’s why we are doubling next year’s places of worship fund – providing physical protection as well as peace of mind.”
In addition, the Government will open a consultation with faith representatives and organisations including the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, Tell MAMA, the Independent Advisory Group and other faith representatives and organisations, on improvements to existing policy to protect faith communities.
To increase uptake in the fund and ensure it reaches those most vulnerable to hate crime, the bidding process will also be simplified so organisations no longer have to prove they have previously experienced a hate crime incident directly.
Places of worship, including mosques, will also benefit from a new £5m fund over three years to provide protective security training to build on some of the positive work already happening in communities.
This is in recognition that physical protective security is only part of the solution, and institutions, their staff and volunteers need to have security understanding to ensure the protective measures work effectively.
