UK Prime Minister Allocates £10 Million for Mosques Security

October 24, 2025

Keir Starmer announces new funding for protective measures at Muslim worship sites following 19% rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes and recent arson attack on Peacehaven Mosque.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Official Portrait

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Key Takeaways

Funding follows arson attack on Peacehaven Mosque
£10 million allocated for mosque security enhancements
Anti-Muslim hate crimes increased 19% in past year

LONDON — Prime Minister Keir Starmer has committed £10 million to bolster security at mosques and Muslim community centers across Britain following a significant increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes.

The announcement was made during a visit to Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex, where a suspected arson attack earlier this month damaged the entrance and a nearby vehicle.

The new funding will support enhanced security measures including CCTV systems, alarm installations, protective fencing, and security personnel at vulnerable Muslim sites.

“Britain is a proud and tolerant country,” Starmer stated. “Attacks on any community are attacks on our entire nation and our values. This funding will provide Muslim communities with the protection they need and deserve.”

Home Office statistics reveal a 19 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes for the year ending March 2025, with Muslims accounting for 44 percent of all religious-based hate incidents. The Peacehaven attack, currently investigated as a hate crime, resulted in two arrests though no charges have yet been filed.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence, describing the arson as “an appalling crime” with potential for “devastating outcome.” She emphasized the fundamental right to religious practice without fear of intimidation or violence.

During his mosque visit, Starmer heard from congregation members about the trauma caused by the attack. Relatives of one regular worshipper described how he had become withdrawn since the incident, noting “This mosque was his life.”

The funding expands the existing Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, which has already allocated £29.4 million this year to safeguard Muslim institutions. Akeela Ahmed of the British Muslim Trust welcomed the additional resources, noting that many Muslims have become “fearful and apprehensive” as their places of worship face repeated attacks.