Overview
- The British Muslim Trust recorded 70 attacks on Muslim places of worship in the 12 months to July, including vandalism, threats, online abuse and an arson attack at Peacehaven Mosque in October 2025.
- BMT chief executive Akeela Ahmed said some mosques have waited months for Home Office protective-security grants because of a processing backlog and called for the £40 million pot to be devolved to local or mayoral authorities to speed delivery.
- The Home Office says funding has been raised to up to £40 million for 2026/27 and that it is working to process all grant applications as quickly as possible.
- Criminal proceedings from the Peacehaven arson have moved forward with Ricky Ryder pleading guilty to arson reckless as to whether life was endangered on May 1 and a case management hearing set for October 9 ahead of a trial scheduled for December 1.
- Mosque communities report fear, changed routines and limited police response to low-level incidents, which community leaders warn could increase risk unless grants reach sites faster and delivery systems are reformed.