Worship Place Security: An In-depth Guide

Places of worship hold a sacred place in the hearts of people, providing a haven for practising their faith without fear. Unfortunately, in recent times, we have witnessed a rise in hate crimes targeting these religious institutions, instilling fear and vulnerability among worshippers. In response to this concerning trend, the Home Office has taken action by introducing two protective security schemes designed to safeguard places of worship across England and Wales. These schemes aim to create a secure environment, enabling worshippers to practise their faith freely and peacefully, without the shadows of hate and intolerance.

Safeguarding Places of Worship: Overview of the Schemes

In a continued effort to safeguard places of worship in England and Wales, the Home Office is providing protective security measures through two key schemes in 2023 and 2024:

1. Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme

2. Protective Security for Mosques Scheme

These schemes offer vital funding to places of worship and associated faith community centres that are vulnerable to hate crime. Their main goal is to reduce hate crime incidents in these sacred spaces, ensuring worshippers can practise their faith freely and without fear.

Under these schemes, eligible places of worship can apply for physical protective security measures, such as CCTV, secure fencing, and intruder alarms. For those applying to the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, security guarding services are also available.

Types of Security Measures Covered

If your application is successful, after a site survey and a final review by the Home Office, the number and type of security measures to be provided will be confirmed. The following physical protective security measures are available free of charge including one year of maintenance from the installation date, based on recommendations from the Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO):

• CCTV (fixed cameras, not pan-tilt cameras)
• Secure fencing and/or railings (up to 2.1m high)
• Manually operated pedestrian and vehicle gates
• Door hardening, locks, and mailbox/mail bag
• Reinforcing glazed windows (with anti-shatter film or bars/grilles only)
• Intruder alarms, including integrated smoke/heat detection
• Door entry access control (fob or keypad)
• Video intercom systems
• Building-mounted lighting

If your application is successful, the scheme will pay for the installation of these measures at your place of worship. However, the schemes do not cover the cost of:

• Planning permission
• General construction upgrades
• Routine security improvements
• Measures to combat lead theft, antisocial behaviour, or other crimes unrelated to hate crimes

Applicants do not need to decide which measures to apply for during the initial application; the appropriate measures will be determined during the site survey.

Esotec Limited is the Home Office’s delivery partner for physical protective security measures and will be the main point of contact for successful places of worship going forward to the site survey stage. The supplier for security guarding services will be announced later, and successful applicants to the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme will be informed as soon as possible.

Eligibility 

To apply for these schemes, you should meet one of the following criteria:

1- Your place of worship has experienced hate crime incidents.

2- You believe your place of worship is vulnerable to hate crime based on incidents that have occurred in your local area or targeting worshippers attending your place of worship.

The application must be for a place of worship and/or associated faith community centre located in England and Wales.

Eligible places include churches, gurdwaras, mosques, temples, and associated faith community centres

Not eligible:

• Accommodation for people
• Educational facilities, such as faith schools and other institutes of higher learning
• NHS facilities, such as chapels and prayer rooms
• Other structures owned by the house of worship or the religious group but not regularly used for worship

Application Deadline

The application process is open from 21 June 2023 until 15 August 2023, and no applications will be considered beyond this date.

How to Submit an Application

To ensure a valid application, you must provide evidence that your place of worship has been targeted by hate crimes or is vulnerable to such incidents. Here’s what you need to do to apply for funding:

1. Provide Evidence of Hate Crimes: Include specific details of any hate crimes that have occurred at your place of worship or in your local area. Share relevant information about when these incidents happened and the nature of the crimes.
   
2. Describe the Impact on Your Worshippers: Explain how these hate crimes have affected the worshippers in your community. Describe their emotions, concerns, and any changes in attendance or participation in worship.
   
3. Include Supporting Evidence: To strengthen your application, you can submit additional evidence, such as photographs, police reports, or witness statements related to the hate crimes.
   
4. Complete the Online Application: The application process is online, and you can save your progress at any stage. Remember to submit your application before the deadline, which is 11:59 pm on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

The online application form will require the following information:

• Name, faith, and address of your place of worship
• Name and contact details of the person responsible for the application
• If your place of worship is legally exempt from registering as a charity, include a confirmation letter stating the reason for the exemption
• Details of any existing security measures at your site
• Information about any previous applications for funding and their outcomes
  

Providing Comprehensive Details:

It is crucial to be thorough in your application. Consider the following points:

Timeliness: Clearly state when the hate crimes or incidents occurred to demonstrate the ongoing vulnerability of your place of worship.

Frequency: Describe how frequently these hate crimes or incidents have taken place to highlight the continuous nature of the problem.

Motivation: Identify the motivation behind the hate crimes or incidents to understand the specific form of hatred targeting your place of worship.

Community Impact: Describe how these hate crimes or incidents have impacted your worshippers, their feelings, and their willingness to participate in worship.

Remember, the more comprehensive and detailed your application, the stronger your case for receiving funding to improve your place of worship’s protective security measures.

Application Example

Successful Applicant:

The successful applicant, a mosque in a diverse neighbourhood, submitted a well-documented application. Over the past two years, they experienced multiple hate crimes, including offensive graffiti, verbal abuse directed at worshippers, and an attempted break-in. They provided photographic evidence of the incidents, witness statements from affected individuals, and police reports confirming the incidents as hate crimes. Their application vividly portrayed how these events instilled fear and vulnerability within their community, making them feel targeted due to their faith.

Unsuccessful Applicant:

An unsuccessful applicant, a temple in a peaceful suburb, applied without providing specific evidence of hate crimes. While they acknowledged that places of worship can be vulnerable, their application lacked concrete examples of incidents experienced. They mentioned a minor case of littering on their premises but failed to present further evidence or demonstrate the emotional impact on their worshippers. Without sufficient documentation, their application did not meet the criteria for funding consideration.

Site Survey Process

Upon a successful application, Esotec Limited will arrange for a qualified Designing Out Crime Officer (DCO) to visit your place of worship. These experts are well-versed in crime prevention and building design. During the visit, the DCO will conduct a thorough assessment of your current security arrangements. Based on their evaluation, they will recommend the most suitable physical protective security measures to enhance your site’s resilience against hate crime.

If you find the recommended security measures satisfactory, you will be asked to confirm your decision to proceed with the application. It is essential not to initiate any installation work on your own or engage another contractor for the security measures. Costs incurred from works carried out by other contractors will not be reimbursed.

For successful applicants who also apply for guarding services under the Protective Security Mosques Scheme, a similar site survey will be conducted to determine the appropriate guarding regime for each place of worship. Further details will be provided to relevant applicants once the supplier for guarding services is announced later in the year.

Throughout the application process, the Home Office will conduct due diligence checks to ensure the effectiveness and credibility of the provided information.

Key Points to Remember:

• Esotec Limited will send a qualified Designing Out Crime Officer (DCO) to assess your current security arrangements and suggest suitable protective security measures.
• Once satisfied with the recommendations, confirm your willingness to proceed with the application.
• Do not initiate any installation works or hire other contractors, as costs will not be reimbursed.
• Successful applicants applying for guarding services will also undergo a site survey to determine the appropriate guarding regime.
• The Home Office will conduct due diligence checks during the application process.

Application Outcome

If your application is successful, you will receive an email notifying you of the result no later than November 2023. In the event of approval, Esotec Limited will get in touch with you to schedule the installation of the approved physical protective security measures. The Home Office will bear all the costs associated with purchasing and installing the agreed-upon security measures. Additionally, random audit checks on completed projects will be conducted to ensure compliance with the provided measures.

Once the security measures have been installed, you will be requested to complete a brief survey, offering feedback on how the funded measures have benefited your place of worship or associated faith community centre.

In the case of an unsuccessful application, you will receive an email notification of the decision, and unfortunately, there will be no option to appeal the decision.

Planning Restrictions

It’s important to note that receiving a grant to install security measures at your place of worship does not automatically include permission to carry out the works. It is your responsibility to check if any additional permissions are required for the proposed work, such as planning permission, listed building consent, faculty permission, or others.

To ensure a smooth process, it is recommended that you promptly initiate the application process for any necessary consents within two weeks of being notified of your successful application. Esotec Limited, the delivery partner, will seek confirmation from you regarding the progress of obtaining the required permissions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Protective Security Schemes for Places of Worship introduced by the Home Office are crucial steps toward safeguarding these sacred spaces from the rising threat of hate crimes. By providing funding for physical protective security measures, these schemes aim to create a secure environment for worshippers to practise their faith without fear and vulnerability. The eligibility criteria, comprehensive application process, and site survey ensure that the funding is directed to those most in need. It is essential for applicants to provide concrete evidence of hate crimes and the emotional impact on their communities to strengthen their case. Through these initiatives, the Home Office strives to foster an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance, enabling places of worship to continue serving as beacons of harmony and spirituality.