One UK mosque attacked 'every five days', monitoring group warns
New data from the British Muslim Trust reveals over 70 mosque attacks in the UK in the past year, prompting calls for urgent government action to curb rising anti-Muslim hate crime.
A mosque is attacked in the UK on average every five days, according to figures released by the British Muslim Trust, the government's partner for monitoring anti-Muslim hatred. The organisation recorded more than 70 attacks on mosques over the past year, including intimidation, violence, property damage, harassment, hate speech, online abuse and vandalism.
The hotspots for attacks are London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. London saw nine separate mosque attacks, while one mosque in Birmingham was targeted three times in 12 months. Home Office data shows anti-Muslim hate crime in England and Wales rose by 19% in the year to March 2025.
Earlier this year the government announced up to £40m for the protective security for mosques scheme, allowing mosques to apply for CCTV, alarms, fencing and security personnel. However, the British Muslim Trust says mosques are struggling to access the fund, with some waiting up to 18 months for approval and many being denied without explanation. Chief executive Akeela Ahmed described the application requirements as a significant barrier and urged ministers to simplify the process.
Ahmed said that mosques are vulnerable purely because they are mosques, and that the backlog leaves them living in fear of another attack while police often fail to respond to low-level incidents. She also highlighted a recent survey by the British Muslim Trust and British Future showing one in six Britons believe the growth of the Muslim population poses a foundational threat to UK culture.
A Home Office spokesperson said the government has increased funding for protective security at mosques, Muslim faith schools and community centres to a record level of £40m in 2026-27, and is working to process all applications as quickly as possible.
