The UK Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, has announced a £28 million funding package for places of worship to protect from hate crime and terror attacks. The funding, announced recently, 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 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.”
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
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)
