UK Mosques Receive £66m Emergency Security Funding After Southport 2026

UK mosques have been awarded a record £66m in emergency security funding following the violent disorder that spread after the Southport attacks in 2024. The Home Office issued the funds to protect mosques and related community sites amid a surge in anti-Muslim hostility.

Record Funding for Mosque Security

Exclusive figures obtained by the Guardian reveal that the £66m emergency package was issued when violent disorder erupted across the UK in the aftermath of the Southport attacks. Additionally, about £41m has been allocated for the year from April 2025 to 2026 under the protective security scheme for mosques and related community sites.

The chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, Akeela Ahmed, described the figures as telling "an incredibly sombre story about the rise in anti-Muslim hostility that British Muslims are living with." She added: "Security needs are increasing as a direct response to the increase in attacks that mosques are under."

Rising Attacks on Mosques

Data published by the British Muslim Trust in July showed that across Britain, one mosque was attacked every five days in the past year. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures.

The government initially launched a security scheme for places of worship in 2016 for England and Wales. In 2023, a dedicated scheme worth £29.4m was created for mosques and faith schools to ensure the safety of Muslim communities.

Comparison of Security Funding

Key Takeaways

• Record £66m emergency funding issued for mosque security after Southport disorder.
• Additional £41m allocated for 2025-26 under protective security scheme.
• One mosque attacked every five days in the past year, according to British Muslim Trust.
• Government schemes aim to protect Muslim communities but root causes of hate must be addressed.

Addressing the Root Causes

Akeela Ahmed emphasised that reducing security costs requires tackling the root causes of hate. "If we want to bring down the costs for protecting British Muslims in the UK then we need to reduce the need for protection and address the root causes of hate against Muslim communities," she said.

The funding is part of broader efforts to ensure the safety of Muslim communities amid rising tensions. The Home Office has not commented on the specific figures but reiterated its commitment to protecting all faith communities.

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