Worship Without Fear: Government Steps Up Protection for Religious Sites
No one should feel afraid to step into their place of worship. Yet, in recent months, a wave of protests outside synagogues, mosques, and other religious sites has left many feeling unsafe and forced some to stay away altogether. In response, the government has announced new measures that will give police more authority to prevent protests from intimidating worshippers.
Under these new powers, officers will be able to impose stricter conditions on demonstrations near places of worship. This means they can dictate the timing and route of a march if there is a risk of disrupting religious gatherings. The move, introduced as an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, applies to all religious sites, including churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples.
The changes come amid a troubling rise in faith-based hate crimes. According to police figures, anti-Semitic incidents have soared by 113% in the past year, while anti-Muslim hate crimes have increased by 13%. The government has pointed to recent demonstrations outside synagogues, which led to event cancellations, and attacks on mosques during last summer’s violent unrest as key reasons for tightening the law.
Clarity for Police, Protection for Worshippers
Current legislation already allows police to impose conditions on protests if organisers are deemed to be acting with intimidation in mind. However, the new amendment makes it even clearer: officers can intervene if they believe a protest may result in intimidation, ensuring they can act before tensions escalate.
The Home Office has also announced that laws preventing people from climbing on war memorials will be extended to include the National Holocaust Memorial, which is set to be built in Westminster in the coming years.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the measures, stating: “The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but it does not include the right to intimidate or infringe on the fundamental freedoms of others.” She emphasised that police must still make a “proportionality assessment” to balance free speech with the right to worship without fear or disruption.
Funding for Faith Communities
Beyond new police powers, the government is also stepping up financial support for religious groups. It has pledged up to £50 million over the next year to help protect faith communities. This funding will be used for security measures such as CCTV, security personnel, and protective barriers at places of worship, ensuring they remain safe spaces for those who gather in faith.
As tensions around religious freedoms and public demonstrations continue to make headlines, these new powers mark a significant step in addressing concerns from faith leaders and worshippers alike. The message is clear: protests must not cross the line into intimidation, and everyone should have the right to practice their religion in peace.
