GOVERNMENT’S £405,000 HATE CRIME ACTION PLAN GRANT WINNERS REVEALED

Running a place of worship requires not only dedication and patience, but unfortunately in today’s climate is likely to involve a certain amount of diligence against unsavoury behaviour. A significant number of religious buildings will have been subjected to incidents which come under the label ‘hate crimes’ – attacks motivated by prejudices such as religion or race.

In an attempt to combat this unsettling trend, 59 places of worship – comprising 45 churches, 12 mosques and 1 Hindu temple and 1 Sikh gurdwara – are to receive shares of a £405,000 grant to improve security, confirmed Home Secretary Amber Rudd in November 2016.

Part of the government’s hate crime action plan, announced in July 2016, the scheme is designed to cover the costs of security equipment such as CCTV, perimeter fencing, locks and alarms for places of worship which can prove they have a need for increased security. The funding will also award nine community projects between £24,000 and £50,000 each to help in their work supporting victims and educating offenders. Applications for funding are currently closed, but a second round of bids will open in Spring 2017.

Ms Rudd said: “This funding is the latest step in this government’s mission to stamp out all types of hate crime, which has absolutely no place in a Britain that works for everyone,” adding, “…the security funding will help protect a cross-section of faiths from attack.”

Protecting your property is always important, especially for religious buildings which serve a vital function in the local community. Understanding the complex needs of this sector, Thorntons Insurance Services are here to help you source the best possible cover.

To find out more about how we could help your place of worship with insurance at a price that’s right for you, contact us on 07860 794946 or email thorntonsins@aol.com For full details of the second round of Places of Worship Security Funding, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/places-of-worship-security-funding-scheme