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

Mosques are being advised to carry out lockdown drills, strengthen ties with police and improve CCTV coverage under national guidance published amid growing concerns about anti-Muslim attacks.The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) released a new security and preparedness framework for mosques, trustees and volunteers, warning that places of worship and community centres faced an increasing threat from vandalism, intimidation, threats and targeted hostility.The guidance provides practical advice on how mosques should respond to an incident. It includes lockdown procedures, emergency response planning, incident reporting systems and measures to strengthen relationships with local authorities and police forces.There has been a series of attacks recently targeting Muslim communities, including one on the home of an imam in Bolton, and heightened fears after racist riots in Belfast.The MCB warned its nearly 500 affiliated mosques and community centres to remain vigilant for another summer of “violence on our streets”, and imams were encouraged to use Friday sermons to share messages of hope, unity and resilience.Home Office figures released last October showed recorded hate crime in England-and-wales" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="1026" data-entity-type="location">England and Wales was rising for the first time in three years, including increases in racially and religiously motivated offences. In England-and-wales" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="1026" data-entity-type="location">England and Wales, where 3.9 million people identify as Muslim, anti-Muslim hate crime rose from 2,690 offences to 3,199 in the 12 months to March 2025.The guidance sets out a phased roadmap for improving security over three, 12 and 36 months. Initial recommendations include appointing a dedicated safety lead, carrying out a walkthrough security assessment, identifying CCTV blind spots and establishing clear lockdown and “hold and secure” procedures.The guidance warns that common vulnerabilities include a lack of named safety officers, weak links with police, uncontrolled access points, poor lighting and volunteers being unsure how to respond during emergencies.Among the threats identified are graffiti, vandalism, arson attempts, abuse and intimidation at entrances, suspicious individuals loitering around premises, threats during busy prayer times and bomb threats or suspicious packages.The framework encourages mosques to build stronger relationships with neighbours, councillors, local businesses and other faith groups, saying community ties can help ensure a faster and calmer response when incidents occur.Wajid Akhter, the MCB secretary general, said communities remained concerned about a repeat of the unrest seen in recent summers.“As we approach [the anniversary of] the 19 June [2017] Finsbury Park terrorist attack, our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Uncle Makram Ali, the survivors and their families,” he said. “The horror of that night remains etched in our collective memory. It remains a stark reminder of what happens when venomous, unchecked Islamophobia is allowed to fester in our society.”He said that dehumanising rhetoric against ethnic minorities, immigrants and Muslims circulating in public discourse had directly translated to heightened anxiety and vulnerability on the ground.“The recent riots in Southampton and Belfast that exploited knife crime tragedies highlights how parts of Britain’s politicians and mainstream media, aided by algorithm-fuelled social media disinformation and foreign-based billionaires seeking yet more violence on our streets, relish any opportunity to relive the Southport-style racist and Islamophobic nationwide riots of summer 2024,” he added.The MCB said an anonymous survey conducted after the recent disorder in Northern Ireland revealed widespread fear among Muslim communities. One respondent, who lived with her family in accommodation attached to a mosque, described being in a “constant state of fear and anxiety” following attacks on homes, businesses and vehicles.“I am deathly worried that our mosque will be attacked and burned in the middle of the night whilst me, my husband and my girls are sleeping upstairs and we can’t get out in time,” she said. “I have been having these thoughts and can’t seem to stop catastrophising.”Another respondent said: “It is frightening to witness young men being influenced and going door to door looking for foreigners, claiming there are foreigners in certain homes. This behaviour is terrifying for many people in the community”They noted that a Muslim hijabi woman was recently chased by racists on her way to work. “She was in a very vulnerable situation, and a passerby helped her get into a car and to safety.”Another respondent said support for those affected by anti-Muslim hate crime had been limited. They said their daily lives had been significantly altered since widespread racist rioting engulfed Belfast.“Many of us feel unsafe going out to work, shop, or carry out normal day-to-day activities because of racist targeting and intimidation,” they said.Akhter said the guidance was not just about installing physical barriers. “It is about empowering our communities to remain vigilant, to build strong local relationships and allies, and to have the structure in place to respond.”