UK Pledges £10 Million to Protect Muslim Communities After Mosque Attack

UK Pledges £10 Million to Protect Muslim Communities After Mosque Attack
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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced an additional £10 million in security funding to protect Muslim communities and places of worship across Britain, The Independent reported. The pledge follows a suspected arson attack earlier this month on the Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex, which police are treating as a hate crime.

The new funding will enhance security at mosques and Muslim community centres through measures such as CCTV systems, alarms, secure fencing, and trained security staff. It builds on the £29.4 million already allocated this year under the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.

Sir Keir described Britain as a “proud and tolerant country,” stressing that attacks on any faith community are “attacks on the nation’s values.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the mosque attack as an “appalling crime,” affirming the government’s duty to safeguard freedom of worship and unity against hate.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident and remain in custody, according to Sussex Police. Recent government data shows anti-Muslim hate crimes rose by 19% in the year ending March 2025, with Muslims accounting for 44% of all religiously motivated offences.

Muslim organizations, including the British Muslim Trust and the Muslim Council of Britain, welcomed the funding but urged the government to address the underlying causes of Islamophobia. They emphasized that safety, respect, and equal protection are essential for fostering genuine social cohesion.