MEND Guidance on the Protective Security Scheme for Places of Worship 2023

The Home Office has announced the continuation of ‘The Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme’ alongside a ‘Protective Security for Mosques Scheme’ in 2023 and 2024, which means that mosques and Muslim faith schools/community centres have been given access to funding to enhance security measures at their premises.

This includes requesting security measures such as CCTV, secure fencing, intruder alarms, and an additional security guarding service for mosques, of which the supplier will be announced later in the year.

MEND welcomes the continuation of the scheme and encourages all vulnerable mosques and associated faith community centres to apply before the deadline at 11.59pm on Tuesday 15 August 2023.

MEND also warns against any strings or conditions attached to the funding, such as participation in PREVENT or any other counter-terror programmes, which stand accused of human rights abuses. If any mosques or faith community centres are approached on such matters, at any point during the process, we encourage them to get in touch with MEND for advice and guidance at [email protected].

To Apply:

1. Complete the form at the following link: https://www.homeofficesurveys.homeoffice.gov.uk/s/powapply23/
2. Provide detail of hate incidents and explain the impacts on the place of worship, those who attend the place of worship and the community; include supporting evidence
3. Indicate a need for security guarding services (if required), for example, at Jumu’ah or Tarawih prayers

Carefully read the further guidance on the application available here, including examples of successful and unsuccessful applications.