Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) has announced an additional £10 million in security funding to protect Muslim communities from hate crimes and attacks. The announcement came during a visit to Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex, which was targeted in a suspected arson attack earlier this month.
The fire damaged the mosque's front entrance and a car, though no one was injured in the incident. Police are treating the attack as a hate crime.
Security measures expansion
The new investment will fund security measures for mosques and Muslim faith centres across Britain. These include CCTV systems, alarm systems, secure fencing and security staff.
Sir Keir said: "Britain is a proud and tolerant country. Attacks on any community are attacks on our entire nation and our values. This funding will provide Muslim communities with the protection they need and deserve, allowing them to live in peace and safety."
Government response
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the Peacehaven attack as "an appalling crime, that could easily have led to an even more devastating outcome." She said: "I am proud of this country because of the rights we all have to follow the faith of our choosing, and to live free from hatred and fear. That right must be defended."
During the mosque visit, family members told the Prime Minister that a community member who fled when the door was torched has become withdrawn and traumatised. "This (mosque) was his life," one relative explained.
Programme details
The additional funding will boost the existing Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, building on £29.4 million already available this year. The programme protects Muslim community centres and faith schools that have experienced or are vulnerable to hate crime.
Government statistics show anti-Muslim hate crimes rose by 19 per cent in the year ending March 2025. Muslims are targeted in 44 per cent of all religious hate crimes.
Community welcome
British Muslim Trust chief executive Akeela Ahmed welcomed the announcement, saying everyone "deserves to live their life peacefully" and "without the threat of fear." She said: "Sadly, this is not the case for too many members of our Muslim communities. They have become fearful and apprehensive as their Mosques, places dedicated to faith, love and peace, have been vandalised, set on fire and worshippers abused and assaulted."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
