- The Government is providing £3.2 million to improve security at places of worship at risk from hate crime attacks
- Stuart Anderson MP has written to many places of worship in Wolverhampton South West to urge them to apply
Stuart Anderson MP has written to many places of worship in the local community, setting out details of the Government’s £3.2 million Places of Worship Protective Security Fund.
The fund, which was established in 2016, is now open for the latest round of applications. It helps place of worship such as churches, mosques, gurdwaras, temples and associated faith community centres with funding to improve physical security. This can include more secure gates, locks, alarms and CCTV in order to deter and prevent hate crime attacks.
The fund was simplified and expanded following the terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, last year, with the total funding doubled to £3.2 million. Since its introduction more than 180 grants have been awarded helping 76 churches,75 mosques, 23 gurdwaras and nine Hindu temples.
In his letter, Stuart Anderson MP thanked local faith leaders for all that they have been doing to support the local community throughout the Coronavirus outbreak. Places of worship have been closed in order to protect public health, and can now start to open again.
Commenting, Stuart Anderson MP said: “Everybody in Wolverhampton South West has the right to worship without fear of attack or hateful discrimination. If any place of worship in our community feels at risk from hate crimes or attack, I would urge them to apply for this important funding to improve security measures.
“The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has reminded us all of the importance of faith to so many people, and this Government is determined to keep our places of worship, which give so much back to our community, safe.”
Also commenting, Minister for Countering Extremism Baroness Williams said: “During this global pandemic, personal faith has been a source of comfort and strength for many. I would urge all places of worship who feel they are vulnerable to hate crime to apply for the fund, and as a government we will do all we can to make your congregations feel safe and protected.”
You can apply and find further details online via the Government's dedicated webpage, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/places-of-worship-security-funding-scheme
