The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has released new national security guidance advising mosques to conduct lockdown drills, strengthen ties with police, and improve CCTV coverage amid growing concerns over anti-Muslim attacks.
New Security Framework
The MCB's security and preparedness framework, aimed at mosques, trustees, and volunteers, warns that places of worship and community centres face increasing threats from vandalism, intimidation, threats, and targeted hostility. The guidance provides practical advice on incident response, including lockdown procedures, emergency planning, reporting systems, and building relationships with local authorities and police.
Recent Attacks and Rising Hate Crime
Recent attacks on Muslim communities, including an incident at an imam's home in Bolton and racist riots in Belfast, have heightened fears. The MCB urged its nearly 500 affiliated mosques and community centres to remain vigilant for potential summer violence. Imams are encouraged to use Friday sermons to promote hope, unity, and resilience.
Home Office figures from October show recorded hate crime in England and Wales rising for the first time in three years, with anti-Muslim offences increasing from 2,690 to 3,199 in the 12 months to March 2025. In England and Wales, 3.9 million people identify as Muslim.
Phased Security Improvements
The guidance outlines a phased roadmap for improving security over 3, 12, and 36 months. Initial steps include appointing a safety lead, conducting walkthrough security assessments, identifying CCTV blind spots, and establishing lockdown procedures. Common vulnerabilities identified include lack of named safety officers, weak police links, uncontrolled access points, poor lighting, and volunteer uncertainty during emergencies.
Threats listed include graffiti, vandalism, arson, abuse at entrances, suspicious individuals loitering, threats during prayer times, and bomb threats. The framework encourages mosques to build ties with neighbours, councillors, businesses, and other faith groups to ensure faster, calmer responses to incidents.
Community Concerns
MCB Secretary General Wajid Akhter expressed concern about a repeat of recent unrest, referencing the 2017 Finsbury Park terrorist attack. He condemned dehumanising rhetoric against ethnic minorities, immigrants, and Muslims, linking it to heightened anxiety and vulnerability. He noted that recent riots in Southampton and Belfast exploited knife crime tragedies, fueled by politicians, media, and social media disinformation.
An anonymous MCB survey after the Northern Ireland disorder revealed widespread fear. One respondent living in mosque accommodation feared her family would be attacked while sleeping. Another described young men going door-to-door looking for foreigners, terrifying the community. A hijabi woman was chased by racists but rescued by a passerby. Another respondent said support for hate crime victims was limited, and daily life had been significantly altered since the riots.
Akhter emphasised that the guidance is not just about physical barriers but about empowering communities to remain vigilant, build local relationships, and have structured response plans.
