Places of Worship Protective Security Fund Opens for 2023/24 Applications (England and Wales)
Funding to tackle the increasing number of hate crimes directed at religious buildings.
Set up in 2016, The Home Office funding aims to reduce the risk and impact of hate crime at places of worship such as churches, gurdwaras, mosques, temples, and associated faith community centres across England and Wales.
In 2023/24, there are grant two schemes, covered by the same application form:
- Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme
- Protective Security for Mosques Scheme
Grants can cover the costs of protective measures from the following list:
- CCTV (fixed cameras, not pan-tilt cameras)
- Fencing and/or railings (no more than 2.1m high)
- Manually operated pedestrian and vehicle gates
- Door hardening, locks and mail-box/mail bag
- Reinforcing single 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)
Applicants do not need to choose what they would like to apply for in advance. If successful, a survey will be carried out at the place of worship. During this survey, the most appropriate measures for the site will be discussed.
It should also be noted that the funding only covers the provision and installation of these security measures. It does not cover other associated costs such as licensing and planning permission, or ongoing costs such as charges for annual service, maintenance and monitoring.
Mosques and associated faith community centres can also apply for some security guarding services, where they feel security guards will improve the safety of their site and those worshipping there.
The deadline to apply is 15 August 2023.
(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)
