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Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme opens

Places of worship and associated faith community centres are now able to apply for an increased pot of funding to help improve their physical security against potential attacks.

The Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme, now in its fourth year, is now worth £1.6 million, after the Home Secretary doubled the amount available from last year in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attacks.

Applicants will no longer be required to show they have already experienced hate crime and will be able to apply if they can show they are vulnerable to hate crime. This more streamlined process will also mean security measures can be arranged through one central provider, significantly reducing the administrative burden for small, volunteer-run institutions.

Successful applicants will receive funding for protective security such as the installation of alarms, security lighting and access control. Nearly 300 institutions from across England and Wales have already expressed an interest in applying to the latest round, with the largest number of expressions of interest coming from London, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Places of worship are at the heart of our communities and should provide peace and sanctuary. I’m proud that through the fund we will be able to help even more institutions to protect their congregations from hate-filled individuals intent on harming them.”

Associated faith community centres will be able to apply for the fund for the first time.

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