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Mosques and related Islamic community sites across the UK received about £66m in emergency security funding after violent disorder followed the 2024 Southport attack, according to figures obtained by the Guardian through a Freedom of Information request.
The figures also show that around £41m was provided to mosques, Islamic faith schools and associated sites during the 2025–26 financial year through the Government's protective security scheme.
The funding has increased substantially over the past decade as authorities have sought to strengthen security at places of worship and protect communities facing reported hate incidents.
Government figures show that funding for mosques and associated Islamic sites was £73,147 in 2016–17. It rose to about £3m in 2022–23, approximately £29m in 2024–25 and around £41m in 2025–26.
The Government first introduced a protective security scheme for places of worship in England and Wales in 2016. A dedicated scheme for mosques and Muslim faith schools was later established in 2023.
The schemes can support measures intended to improve security at places of worship and community facilities.
The Home Office introduced a separate emergency security scheme after disorder spread across parts of the country following the Southport attack in July 2024.
Three children were killed during the attack at a dance class in Southport. False information subsequently circulated online about the identity and background of the attacker, including claims that he was a Muslim asylum seeker.
Mosques and hotels accommodating asylum seekers were among locations targeted during the disorder.
Of almost £69m distributed to places of worship through the emergency scheme, approximately £66m went to mosques and associated sites, according to the figures reported by the Guardian.
The scale of the emergency funding reflects the security concerns that emerged following the disorder.
Akeela Ahmed, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, which the source report identifies as the Government's partner for monitoring anti-Muslim hatred, said the figures reflected concerns about reported hostility towards Muslim communities.
The trust published figures in July claiming that one mosque was attacked every five days across Britain during the preceding year.
Shaista Gohir, chief executive of Muslim Women's Network UK, said the funding was significant but argued that more needed to be done to address reported hostility and safety concerns affecting Muslim communities.
She also raised concerns about how quickly funding reaches individual mosques and community organisations.
The Jami community centre in Birmingham is among the organisations that has reported security concerns.
According to West Midlands Police, the centre reported at least five incidents involving alleged hate crime and racially aggravated criminal damage between March and July this year.
The centre has introduced additional security measures, including gates and blackout boards, while completing its application for security funding.
People connected with the centre told the Guardian that incidents had included damaged windows and alleged Islamophobic graffiti. Some incidents, according to the report, had not been reported to police.
Khalid, a volunteer at the centre, said the organisation had sought greater support following the incidents and had held an emergency meeting involving MPs, councillors and police representatives.
West Midlands Police said it remained in close contact with leaders and worshippers at the Jami community centre.
A force spokesperson said all forms of hate crime were taken seriously and that reports were investigated as officers worked to identify those responsible.
Paulette Hamilton, MP for Birmingham Erdington, also expressed concern about the reported incidents and said there was no place for such behaviour in the constituency.
The accounts concerning the Jami centre relate to reported incidents and remain subject to police investigation.
The Home Office said it was working to process security funding applications as quickly as possible.
A spokesperson said the Government had made £40m available through protective security schemes to help protect Muslim communities from hate crime.
The department also said its total security investment for faith communities would reach £77.4m during 2026–27.
The latest figures underline the increasing role of security funding in protecting places of worship and community facilities, while organisations and police forces continue to respond to reported incidents of hate crime.
