Apply for funding for security measures to protect against hate crime.
About the Scheme
The places of worship (POW) protective security funding scheme is a government commitment in the 2016-2020 hate crime action plan. It provides funding for protective security measures to places of worship and associated faith community centres that are vulnerable to hate crime.
This scheme has been designed in accordance with government advice on coronavirus (COVID-19). The application process has been changed this year to allow the scheme to launch without applicants needing to attend their place of worship or engage Designing Out Crime Officers to undertake site assessments at this point in time. Due to the impact of coronavirus, both the process and timetable must remain flexible and is subject to change.
Eligibility
We will consider bids from places of worship and associated faith community centres in England and Wales. Below are some examples of those eligible to apply for the funding, but this is not an exhaustive list:
- Churches
- Gurdwaras
- Mosques
- Temples
- associated faith community centres (we define this as a community centre run by a place of worship or near a place of worship that is faith based, and where regular worship takes place)
Living accommodation, educational facilities, and other separate buildings not used for regular worship, are not covered by the scheme. Where these structures exist within the same building or site as the place of worship, only the protection of the place of worship will be considered.
Faith schools, educational institutions and NHS establishments (including chapels and prayer rooms) are not eligible to apply.
The Jewish community are not eligible for funding from this scheme as a separate commitment was made to fund security measures at community sites through a grant administered by the Community Security Trust.
How to bid
You need to:
- Collect evidence to show that your place of worship or associated faith community centre is vulnerable to hate crime. See below for details of what sort of evidence you might provide.
- Complete the online application form and submit your evidence. If you require any assistance with this, help may be available from your local authority community coordinator or strengthening faith institutions.
- If your application successfully demonstrates your vulnerability to hate crime, you will be contacted by our central contractor, Esotec Limited, to arrange a quotation assessment appointment. This appointment will be jointly undertaken with a local Designing Out Crime Officer where possible.
See UK Government Step-by-step infographic (PDF, 84.5KB, 1 page) of the process.
Contact
For more information on the scheme please visit the UK Government website.
Esotec Limited will be the first point of contact for the places of worship protective security funding scheme (referring any queries to the Home Office as appropriate).
If you have any queries regarding your application, please contact Esotec Limited.
