LONDON:
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a significant funding package of £29.4 million (approximately $37.65 million) on Sunday to bolster the security of mosques following a series of attacks on places of worship during recent riots in England and Northern Ireland.
This decision responds to increasing violence and threats against these religious institutions. The government has introduced a new rapid response process to ensure that mosques facing violent threats can quickly receive additional security personnel. This initiative aims to provide essential support and reassurance to communities while supplementing ongoing efforts by local police forces to safeguard these vital religious sites.
The new process allows police, local authorities, and mosques to request the rapid deployment of security measures. “In light of the disgraceful threats and attacks that local mosques have also faced in many communities, the government is providing rapid additional support through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme,” stated Cooper.
She emphasised that this support would work alongside efforts from local police forces and reiterated the government’s strong stance against disorder and violence: “Anyone involved in this disorder and violence will face the full force of the law.”
The unrest follows the tragic deaths of three young girls in Southport on Monday, which has further strained community relations and led to additional episodes of disorder in towns and cities across England.
Proposed Home Office Minister Diana Johnson suggested that courts could operate 24/7 to expedite prosecutions and swiftly bring those causing unrest to justice. The police have also increased security and deployed additional forces to address the ongoing disturbances, as highlighted by Johnson
