The British Muslim Trust has reported that one mosque in the UK is attacked every five days, with more than 70 incidents recorded over the past year. These attacks include acts of intimidation, violence, property damage, harassment, anti-Muslim hate speech, online abuse and vandalism.
Attack hotspots and trends
The top three hotspots for mosque attacks are London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. London alone has seen nine separate attacks, while one mosque in Birmingham has suffered three attacks in the last 12 months. The British Muslim Trust warned that the momentum on attacks is building and called for an urgent government response.
Government funding and barriers
Earlier this year, the government announced up to £40m for the protective security for mosques scheme, allowing mosques to apply for funding for physical security measures such as CCTV, alarms, fencing and security personnel. However, the British Muslim Trust said the scheme is difficult to access, with some mosques waiting up to 18 months for funding and many being denied without explanation.
Akeela Ahmed, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, said: “We are seeing a steady rise in the number of attacks against mosques, and we believe the government should be doing everything it can to help mosques protect themselves.” She added: “A mosque is vulnerable purely because it’s a mosque. Currently, they’re waiting for months while living in fear of another attack because of the backlog. In many cases, police aren’t even responding to low-level incidents, leaving people frightened and vulnerable.”
Home Office data and response
Home Office data shows anti-Muslim hate crime in England and Wales rose by 19% in the 12 months to March 2025. A Home Office spokesperson said: “Muslims in the UK face appalling levels of religious hate crime. It’s crucial that they not only are safe but feel safe. This government has increased funding for protective security at mosques, Muslim faith schools and community centres to record levels – up to £40m in 2026-27. We are working to process all applications as quickly as possible.”
Ahmed has previously urged ministers to drop requirements for applying for protective security, saying it created a significant barrier to support. She recommended exploring better ways to deliver funding, including devolving the fund to speed up delivery, especially given recent events.
Broader societal concerns
Last month, a study by the British Muslim Trust and British Future found that one in six Britons believe the growth of the Muslim population “poses a foundational threat to UK culture”, raising alarm that hostile attitudes towards Muslims are being normalised.
