The Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to practise their religion freely and to ensuring that faith communities are safe at their places of worship.

Funding for the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme is considered at two levels. The overall budget is informed by the Government’s continuing assessment of the threat to mosques and Muslim communities, drawing on the wider national security and hate-crime picture, including assessments from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and advice from relevant policing, security and government partners. These assessments are kept under continual review, enabling the Government to respond to changes in the threat picture and emerging incidents. Detailed threat assessments are not published for national security and operational reasons.

At individual-site level, where an application progresses, allocation of measures is considered after a site survey is undertaken to assess the site’s particular threat and vulnerability profile and determine the most appropriate and effective protective security measures. Security experts, including designing-out-crime officers, contribute to this process.

The detailed assessment methodology is not published. This information is security and commercially sensitive, and the Home Office does not publish information where doing so could compromise the integrity or effective delivery of the scheme, or the contractual arrangements supporting its delivery.

The Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to practise their religion freely and to ensuring that faith communities are safe at their places of worship.

Funding for the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme is considered at two levels. The overall budget is informed by the Government’s continuing assessment of the threat to mosques and Muslim communities, drawing on the wider national security and hate-crime picture, including assessments from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and advice from relevant policing, security and government partners. These assessments are kept under continual review, enabling the Government to respond to changes in the threat picture and emerging incidents. Detailed threat assessments are not published for national security and operational reasons.

At individual-site level, where an application progresses, allocation of measures is considered after a site survey is undertaken to assess the site’s particular threat and vulnerability profile and determine the most appropriate and effective protective security measures. Security experts, including designing-out-crime officers, contribute to this process.

The detailed assessment methodology is not published. This information is security and commercially sensitive, and the Home Office does not publish information where doing so could compromise the integrity or effective delivery of the scheme, or the contractual arrangements supporting its delivery.

The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides fully funded protective security measures to eligible mosques and associated community centres across the UK.

Implementation timelines under the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme can vary, as they are influenced by a range of operational and site specific factors. Once a site has been approved, it is referred to our delivery partners for the necessary survey and subsequent installation.

In some cases, additional steps may be required before installation can proceed, such as local planning permission or the production of bespoke security equipment tailored to the site. These elements, which sit outside the Home Office’s direct control, can contribute to longer timeframes.

The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides fully funded protective security measures to eligible mosques and associated community centres across the UK.

The Government is committed to transparency in relation to its funding programmes and publishes information where appropriate. However, data relating to applications, including approvals, rejections and applications awaiting decisions, are not routinely published.

Applications to the Scheme are assessed against eligibility requirements and are subject to due diligence processes. The time taken to determine an application can vary depending on a range of factors, including application volumes and the circumstances of individual cases. As such, the Home Office does not hold a published estimate of median determination times.

The Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to practise their religion freely and to ensuring that faith communities are safe at their places of worship.

Funding for the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme is considered at two levels. The overall budget is informed by the Government’s continuing assessment of the threat to mosques and Muslim communities, drawing on the wider national security and hate-crime picture, including assessments from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and advice from relevant policing, security and government partners. These assessments are kept under continual review, enabling the Government to respond to changes in the threat picture and emerging incidents. Detailed threat assessments are not published for national security and operational reasons.

At individual-site level, where an application progresses, allocation of measures is considered after a site survey is undertaken to assess the site’s particular threat and vulnerability profile and determine the most appropriate and effective protective security measures. Security experts, including designing-out-crime officers, contribute to this process.

The detailed assessment methodology is not published. This information is security and commercially sensitive, and the Home Office does not publish information where doing so could compromise the integrity or effective delivery of the scheme, or the contractual arrangements supporting its delivery.

Protecting the right of all faith communities to worship without fear is fundamental.

The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme can respond rapidly where an eligible mosque experiences a hate-related threat or attack, helping to ensure that appropriate security support can be put in place as quickly as possible. Applications and any resulting security requirements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Home Office keeps the Scheme under review and works closely with delivery partners to ensure support is targeted effectively. Decisions on security measures are informed by independent security assessments and expert advice, ensuring that recommendations reflect the specific security risks and vulnerabilities of individual sites and that public funds are used effectively and appropriately.

Applications to the Protective Security for Mosques are assessed holistically, taking account of the vulnerability of the site, the nature and level of risk identified, evidence of threats or previous incidents, existing security provision, and whether the proposed measures would materially reduce the specific risks identified.

Funding decisions seek to ensure that the package of measures provided is appropriate and proportionate to the risks identified, represents value for money, and enables the available funding to be allocated fairly across eligible sites. The security benefit of an award therefore depends on the suitability and combined effect of the measures provided, rather than solely on the number of measures funded.

Through this holistic assessment, the number and type of measures offered are tailored to each site and their likely impact in addressing the specific risks identified as part of the site survey process.

Funding allocations for the Home Office’s protective security schemes for faith communities are informed by threat and risk. We draw on a range of information, including data on religiously motivated hate crime and assessments from policing and intelligence partners, to ensure that funding remains proportionate and responsive to the needs of different communities.

Up to £40 million is available through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in 2026/27. The scheme provides protective security measures, including security personnel services, CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing, to mosques and associated Muslim faith community centres. Protective security measures are also available to Muslim faith schools.

The Home Office keeps funding allocations under review to ensure that support is directed where it is most needed and continues to work with the police and other partners to monitor threats and strengthen protections for Muslim communities against hate crime, terrorism and wider security threats.

The Government regularly reviews the operation of the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.

Processing times vary according to a range of factors, including application volumes, the completion of eligibility and due diligence checks and assessment of risk, vulnerability and security requirements. The Home Office processes applications as quickly as possible while ensuring that funding is allocated appropriately and that security measures are targeted where they are most needed.

Where an application is unsuccessful, the Home Office notifies the applicant in writing that their application has not satisfied the Scheme’s due diligence requirements, which form part of the standard assessment process for all applicants. These checks are undertaken to ensure that organisations participating in the scheme meet certain standards expected by the Home Office.

Applicants are signposted to the Code of Conduct which provides information about the standards expected by the Home Office and are invited to reapply after reviewing it.

Protecting the right of all faith communities to worship in peace and without fear is fundamental. The Government continues to support the police in reviewing threats and strengthening protections for faith communities against terrorism and hate crime.

That is why up to £40 million is available through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in 2026/27. This includes additional funding announced by the Prime Minister of £10 million to further strengthen security at mosques and other Muslim community sites. The scheme provides protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing) to mosques, Muslim faith schools and associated Muslim faith community centres.

To protect the integrity of the scheme and ensure the continued safety of vulnerable sites, the Home Office does not publish data on processing of applications or the specific offers made to individual sites. Releasing this information could inadvertently disclose sensitive details about faith communities and their security arrangements.

The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides fully funded protective security measures to eligible mosques and associated community centres across the UK.

Implementation timelines under the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme can vary, as they are influenced by a range of operational and site‑specific factors. Once a site has been approved, it is referred to our delivery partners for the necessary survey and subsequent installation activity.

In some cases, additional steps may be required before installation can proceed, such as local planning permission or the production of bespoke security equipment tailored to the site. These elements, which sit outside the Home Office’s direct control, can contribute to longer timeframes.

The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme receives a high volume of applications, and each is assessed to ensure that public money is used proportionately, fairly, and in line with the Scheme’s eligibility requirements.

Processing times can vary depending on application volumes and the circumstances of individual sites. As such, the Home Office does not hold a published estimate of the average length of time for applications to be determined since the Scheme was established.

We continue to work to improve the consistency and timeliness of decisions while ensuring that assessments remain proportionate and aligned with value‑for‑money considerations.

The Home Office provides protective security for Places of Worship as part of three separate strands. These are the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme and protection for Muslim faith schools (since 2023/24), the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant (administered by the Community Security Trust) and the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme (for all other, non-Muslim and non-Jewish, faiths). Prior to 2023/24, the Muslim community were eligible for support under the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme.

No funding is provided directly from the Home Office to any place of worship, instead they receive protective security measures funded by the Home Office via contracts or grants.

Since the launch of the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme and the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, up to the following amounts have been made available.

In 2026/27, record funding of up to £73.4 million is being made available to protect faith communities. This includes £40 million through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme and for security at Muslim faith schools, and £5 million for the places of worship and associated faith community centres of all other faiths.

The Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme is open to places of worship from all faith communities, except for Muslim and Jewish sites, which are supported through separate schemes. Muslim organisations are therefore not eligible for the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme. Instead, mosques and their associated faith community centres can access protective security measures through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.

However, between 2016 and the launch of the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in 2023, Muslim communities were eligible to apply to the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme.

To protect the integrity of the scheme and ensure the continued safety of vulnerable sites, the Home Office does not publish data on processing of applications or the specific offers made to individual sites. Releasing this information could inadvertently disclose sensitive details about faith communities and their security arrangements.

Mosques and associated Muslim community centres where regular worship takes place are eligible to apply for the Protective Security for Mosques scheme through the application form on gov.uk.

Applicants are asked to provide a summary of any security concerns or hate crime experienced at their mosque or community centre, and the impact these have on the people who use it.

Applicants are also asked to provide further details or evidence of any incidents of hate crime, where relevant. This will be considered as part of their application alongside other factors set out in the guidance.

This Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion at their chosen place of worship, and to ensuring that our streets and communities remain safe.

That is why up to £40 million will be available through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in 2026/27. The scheme provides protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing) to mosques, Muslim faith schools and associated Muslim faith community centres.

To safeguard the integrity of the scheme and ensure the continued protection of vulnerable sites, the Home Office does not publish the total number of successful applications or the timeline for applications. Disclosure of this information could inadvertently reveal sensitive details about specific communities and their security needs.

The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides successful applicants with physical protective security measures and/or security guarding, depending on individual needs. For the year 25/26, £39.4m is available for this purpose, including the £10m emergency cash injection announced by the Prime Minister in October 2025.

Information on the scheme is publicly available via GOV.UK and easily accessible online.

This Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion at their chosen place of worship, and to ensuring that our streets and communities remain safe.

That is why up to £39.4 million is available through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in 2025/26. This includes additional funding announced by the Prime Minister of £10 million to further strengthen security at mosques and other Muslim community sites. The scheme provides protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing) to mosques, Muslim faith schools and associated Muslim faith community centres.

To safeguard the integrity of the scheme and ensure the continued protection of vulnerable sites, the Home Office does not publish the total number of successful applications. Disclosure of this information could inadvertently reveal sensitive details about specific communities and their security needs.