The UK government has allocated a record £66 million in emergency security funding to mosques and related community sites in response to violent incidents following the 2024 Southport attacks, according to recently released data. This sum forms part of a broader protective security scheme aimed at safeguarding Muslim communities across the country.

Figures obtained through a freedom of information request reveal that security funding for mosques, Islamic faith schools, and associated sites has risen markedly over recent years. In 2016-17, grants amounted to just over £73,000 but increased to approximately £3 million in 2022-23. Funding surged to £29 million in 2024-25 and soared again to around £41 million in 2025-26 under ongoing protective security initiatives.

The emergency funding followed a knife attack in Southport in 2024, where three girls were killed during a dance class. In the aftermath, false reports circulated online alleging the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker, which sparked violent disorder targeting mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers. The Home Office subsequently launched a separate emergency security scheme, distributing nearly £69 million to places of worship across the UK, with about £66 million directed specifically to mosques and related sites.

Akeela Ahmed, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, the government’s partner for monitoring anti-Muslim hostility, described the figures as “incredibly sobering,” reflecting a sharp increase in attacks against Muslim communities. Ahmed emphasized that rising security needs were a direct consequence of escalating violence against mosques. She called for efforts to address the underlying causes of anti-Muslim hatred to reduce the need for costly protective measures.

Data published by the British Muslim Trust earlier this year indicated that one mosque in Britain was attacked approximately every five days over the past 12 months.

While the government has expanded its security funding for faith communities — with a record £77.4 million slated for 2026-27, including £40 million earmarked for protective security schemes focused on Muslim communities — some leaders remain critical of the response. Shaista Gohir, chief executive of Muslim Women’s Network UK, acknowledged the substantial financial commitment but described the government’s action as insufficient given the scale of anti-Muslim hostility.

Gohir highlighted concerns over the accessibility and distribution of funds, noting that many community sites, including mosques, face hurdles in obtaining security grants. She cited instances where mosque leaders had to repeatedly reapply and yet received only partial support, while many others continue to await decisions on their applications.

A Home Office spokesperson said the department was working to process all security funding applications as swiftly as possible, affirming its commitment to protect Muslim communities from hate crimes. The spokesperson reiterated that the funding represents part of an unprecedented investment in the safety of faith groups across the UK.