UK mosques advised to run lockdown drills as fears of anti-Muslim attacks grow

Mosques across the UK are being urged to conduct lockdown drills, strengthen ties with local police, and improve CCTV coverage under new national guidance released by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). The framework warns that places of worship and community centres face increasing threats from vandalism, intimidation, and targeted hostility.

The guidance provides practical steps for responding to incidents, including lockdown procedures, emergency response planning, incident reporting systems, and measures to build closer relationships with local authorities and police forces. It follows a series of attacks targeting Muslim communities, such as an attack on an imam's home in Bolton, and heightened fears after racist riots in Belfast.

The MCB has cautioned its nearly 500 affiliated mosques and community centres to remain vigilant for another summer of "violence on our streets," encouraging imams to use Friday sermons to spread messages of hope, unity, and resilience.

Home Office figures released last October show that recorded hate crime in England and Wales has risen for the first time in three years, including increases in racially and religiously motivated offences. Anti-Muslim hate crime specifically rose from 2,690 to 3,199 offences in the 12 months to March 2025.

The security framework outlines a phased roadmap over three, 12, and 36 months. Initial recommendations include appointing a dedicated safety lead, conducting a walkthrough security assessment, identifying CCTV blind spots, and establishing clear lockdown and "hold and secure" procedures. Common vulnerabilities identified include a lack of named safety officers, weak links with police, uncontrolled access points, poor lighting, and volunteers unsure how to respond in emergencies.

The guidance also encourages mosques to build stronger ties with neighbours, local councillors, businesses, and other faith groups, noting that community connections can ensure a faster and calmer response when incidents occur.

Wajid Akhter, the MCB secretary general, said that communities remain deeply concerned about a repeat of recent summer unrest. He referenced the 2017 Finsbury Park terrorist attack, in which Makram Ali was killed, and warned that dehumanising rhetoric against ethnic minorities, immigrants, and Muslims directly translates to heightened anxiety and vulnerability on the ground.

An anonymous survey conducted after recent disorder in Northern Ireland revealed widespread fear among Muslim communities. One respondent living in accommodation attached to a mosque expressed constant fear of a nighttime attack. Another described young men being influenced to go door-to-door looking for "foreigners." A hijabi woman reported being chased by racists on her way to work. Akhter stressed that the guidance is not just about physical barriers but about empowering communities to stay vigilant and build strong local alliances.