Religious hate crime in England and Wales reached all-time record levels in 2025, prompting the government to announce £73.4 million in protective security funding for places of worship across Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other faith communities for 2026-2027.
The 2025 hate crime statistics show Jewish people were proportionately more affected by religious hate crimes, whilst 45 percent of all religious hate crime targeted Muslims. Statistics published by the Community Security Trust last week reveal antisemitic incidents in 2025 were at their second-highest levels since the CST began keeping records.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated: “We are ensuring record funding to protect faith communities all across the UK. This goes further than cameras and alarms, it’s about restoring peace of mind and sending the message: religious persecution and intolerance has no place in Britain.”
The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme will receive up to £40 million, representing the largest allocation, supporting mosques, Muslim schools and community centres. Eligible organisations can apply on a rolling basis directly with the Home Office.
The Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, managed by the Community Security Trust, will provide up to £28.4 million for measures at synagogues, Jewish schools and community centres. This funding stream operates separately from the mosque scheme with CST administering applications.
The Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme will receive an uplift of £1.5 million, bringing total available funding to protect Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other faith sites to a record £5 million. The next application window for this scheme will open later this year, with timing yet to be confirmed.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood declared: “Nobody should be forced to live a smaller life in this country because of their faith. The funding we have announced today will protect places of worship, faith-based schools and community centres across the country. This government will never tolerate religious hatred or intimidation.”
The funding will pay for on-site security staff and equipment including CCTV systems, perimeter fencing, intruder alarms and floodlights at vulnerable faith sites. Local police forces have stepped up patrols in at-risk areas whilst government has provided police additional powers and resources to manage repeat intimidating protests.
Last October, the Prime Minister announced the Jewish and Muslim protective security schemes would receive an additional £10 million uplift in 2025-2026 to respond to increased threats. Today’s announcement confirms those record funding levels will be maintained through next year rather than returning to previous baselines.
Police have received enhanced powers to investigate religious hate crimes and support communities who feel targeted. The combination of physical security measures and increased police presence represents a two-pronged approach to addressing the elevated threat environment.
Faith communities seeking funding will need to apply through the appropriate scheme depending on their religious affiliation. Muslim organisations can submit rolling applications to the Home Office for the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, whilst Jewish groups apply through the Community Security Trust for their dedicated grant programme.
Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other faith groups must wait for the next application window to open later in 2026 for the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme. The government has not specified the exact opening date, though eligible organisations should monitor Home Office announcements for details on the application process and timeline.
