Hundreds of mosques in Britain seek state protection over terror threats

A surveillance camera beneath the minaret of the East London Mosque. Photo: Mike Kemp/Getty Images

Hundreds of mosques in the United Kingdom are seeking state funding to strengthen security amid attacks and threats, reports the British outlet Hyphen.

From July 2024 to November 2025, 510 mosques submitted applications to participate in the state security programme. Of these, 199 received funding, while a further 311 applications remained under consideration.

The funds are allocated for CCTV cameras, alarm systems, fencing, gates, and security personnel costs. The total funding for the programme covering mosques and Muslim community centres amounts to 40 million pounds sterling per year. Some communities claim they have been waiting for a decision on their applications for up to two years.

Representatives of Muslim organisations link the need for enhanced security to a series of attacks. Among the cases mentioned are arson attacks on imams' homes, knife attacks on worshippers, vandalism, and unauthorised entry into mosques. A homemade bomb thrown at the Islamic Centre in Belfast while people were inside was also reported.

The Muslim Council of Britain has called for an independent review of the programme, citing lengthy delays. The Home Office stated that it is working to speed up the processing of applications and has increased funding for the security of mosques, Muslim schools, and community centres to a record level.

The UOJ previously reported that all police officers in England were urged to observe the Ramadan fast in solidarity.

Read also