Also announced today (Sunday 15 March), the one-year
anniversary of the Christchurch terror attack, is the
launch of a new consultation for faith groups to
feedback on what more can be done to protect faith
groups from attacks.
Minister for Countering Extremism Baroness Williams
said:
No one should be fearful about practicing their
faith. Whether it is a church, a mosque, gurdwara or
temple, any place of worship should be a space of
reflection and safety.
The Places of Worship scheme provides that physical
security. However, we can always do more, which is
why we want to hear from worshipers about how we can
better protect them from these terrible attacks.
The Places of Worship Protective Security Funding
scheme provides funding for measures such as CCTV,
fencing, gates, alarms and lighting, to places of
worship and associated faith community centres that are
vulnerable to hate crime.
Twenty-seven mosques, thirteen churches, five gurdwaras
and four Hindu temples have received funding this year,
the largest amount of funding in a single year since
the scheme was set up in 2016.
Next year’s scheme will double again, with £3.2 million
earmarked for 2020/21.
In a new simplified system for applicants, a central
contractor will install better physical security, such
as locks, lighting and CCTV. All applications were
assessed, and funding was provided to those who were
most vulnerable to hate crime attacks.
In 2018/19 police in England and Wales recorded 103,379
hate crime offences, an increase of 10% on the previous
year. This is largely due to improvements in the police
recording and more victims feeling able to come forward
and report these crimes.
The consultation being launched by the Home Office this
month will ask faith groups what else should be done to
help them feel safe and confident while practicing
their religion. The consultation, which will last for
eight weeks, will enable all faith groups to share
their experiences of hate crime, and provide valuable
insight for the Government in keeping pace with the
evolving threat.
The consultation recognises that different religious
groups have different needs, and that some members of
congregations, such as women or the elderly may feel
more vulnerable than other groups. The results of the
consultation will then be analysed and considered as
part of future steps on how the government can protect
religious groups.
The Jewish Community receive a separate fund – the
Jewish Community Protective Security Grant – which is
administered by CST.
