Mosques across the United Kingdom have been urged to implement enhanced security measures amid growing concerns about a rise in anti-Muslim attacks. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has issued a new national security and preparedness framework designed to help mosques, trustees, and volunteers better protect their places of worship and community centres from threats such as vandalism, intimidation, and hostility.
The guidance recommends that mosques conduct lockdown drills, improve emergency response protocols, strengthen links with local police, and upgrade CCTV coverage. It provides a phased roadmap for security improvements, ranging from immediate steps to longer-term strategies over three, 12, and 36 months. Initial measures include appointing a safety lead, carrying out security assessments to identify vulnerabilities like CCTV blind spots, and establishing clear lockdown and “hold and secure” procedures.
The MCB highlighted several common security weaknesses, including uncontrolled access points, poor lighting, lack of dedicated safety officers, and volunteers who are not trained in emergency preparedness. The framework also identifies potential threats facing Muslim communities such as graffiti, arson attempts, harassment at entrances, suspicious activity, and bomb threats or suspicious packages, particularly during busy prayer times.
Recent incidents and broader societal tensions have raised fears among Muslim communities. The MCB pointed to a series of attacks and anti-immigrant riots in Belfast as contributing factors to rising anxiety. Home Office data shows that recorded hate crimes—including those motivated by race and religion—in England and Wales increased for the first time in three years during the 12 months preceding March 2025. Among the 3.9 million people identifying as Muslim in England and Wales, anti-Muslim hate crimes rose from 2,690 to 3,199 reported offences.
Wajid Akhter, secretary general of the MCB, emphasized that the community continues to be wary of a repeat of the unrest that has occurred during recent summers. He noted that the framework seeks not only to introduce physical safeguards but also to empower communities through vigilance, stronger relationships with police, neighbours, local officials, businesses, and other faith groups. The MCB encourages imams to use Friday sermons to promote messages of unity, hope, and resilience in the face of adversity.
An anonymous survey conducted after disturbances in Northern Ireland revealed widespread fear among Muslims. One respondent, living in accommodation attached to a mosque, described living in a "constant state of fear and anxiety" after attacks on homes and local businesses. The individual expressed particular concern about the possibility of an attack on the mosque itself during the night, illustrating the heightened sense of vulnerability felt by many in these communities.
The MCB’s guidance aims to provide a structured approach to security, ensuring that Muslim places of worship are better prepared to respond calmly and effectively should incidents arise.