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

Minarets of a mosque in Bradford. The new guidance provides practical security advice for Muslim places of worship. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer View image in fullscreen Minarets of a mosque in Bradford. The new guidance provides practical security advice for Muslim places of worship. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer UK mosques advised to run lockdown drills amid fears of anti-Muslim attacks Exclusive: Muslim Council of Britain national guidance also urges mosques to strengthen police ties and improve CCTV Mosques are being advised to carry out lockdown drills, strengthen ties with local police and improve CCTV coverage under new national guidance published amid growing concerns about anti-Muslim attacks. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has released new security and preparedness framework for mosques, trustees and volunteers, warning that places of worship and community centres face 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. The framework follows a series of attacks targeting Muslim communities, including 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”, while imams were being 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 was rising for the first time in three years, including increases in racially and religiously motivated offences. In 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 local 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 also 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 inc