The places of worship (PoW) protective security funding scheme is a government commitment in the 2016-2020 hate crime action plan. This scheme is intended to reduce the risk and impact of hate crime at places of worship and associated faith community centres.
The scheme provides funding for protective security measures, such as CCTV, fencing, and intruder alarms, to places of worship and associated faith community centres that are vulnerable to hate crime.
Applicants can submit bids for up to 3 protective security measures. The maximum government funding available to any place of worship or associated faith community centre is £56,000. This funding is not for general improvements, lead theft, security upgrades or measures to tackle anti-social behaviour or other criminality unconnected with hate crime.
The Home Office have made improvements to this year’s scheme to make it easier for places of worship to apply. This includes removing the need for applicants to find their own quotes for security measures; instead applicants will benefit from a central supplier for assessments, quotes and installation.
The scheme is open to all faiths, except the Jewish community, who have experienced hate crime and/or feel that that they are vulnerable to hate crime at their place of worship. The application must be made on behalf of your places of worship and/or associated faith community centre, and your site must be in either England or Wales. Below are some examples of those eligible to apply for the funding, but this is not an exhaustive list:
- churches
- gurdwaras
- mosques
- temples
- associated faith community centres (we define this as a community centre run by a place of worship or near a place of worship that is faith based, and where regular worship takes place)
How to apply and further information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/places-of-worship-security-funding-scheme
Closing Date: 02 July 2021
