More than 70 attacks on mosques in the UK were recorded over the past year, the British Muslim Trust said, averaging to about one mosque attacked every five days. The incidents include intimidation, physical assault, property damage, harassment, anti-Muslim hate speech, online abuse and vandalism, with London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands the top three hotspots; London saw nine separate mosque attacks and one Birmingham mosque was targeted three times. The Trust warned momentum on attacks is building and called for an urgent government response; Akeela Ahmed, the Trust’s chief executive, said mosques are “vulnerable purely because it’s a mosque” and urged ministers to remove barriers to protective support. The Home Office has announced up to £40 million for protective security for mosques covering CCTV, alarms, fencing and security personnel, but the Trust says the scheme is hard to access, with some applicants waiting up to 18 months and others denied without explanation. Home Office data show anti-Muslim hate crime in England and Wales rose by 19% in the 12 months to March 2025. The Trust recommended devolving the fund or otherwise speeding delivery so mosques can install security measures while attacks continue to rise.
