Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed the announcement from the Home Secretary that he is to boost the funding available for places of worship to enhance their security following the events in New Zealand.

An additional £1.6 million has been earmarked to reassure communities and safeguard mosques and other places of worship.

Dr Billings said: “This funding will help to reassure communities that the government and the police are taking the threat to places of worship very seriously.

“Nobody should feel unsafe when they visit places of worship to pray.  I hope people will feel assured that South Yorkshire Police will do everything they can to keep them safe.

“There was a great deal of uncertainly and nervousness in the wake of the atrocity in New Zealand. But in South Yorkshire we will not be divided. However, we have to be realistic, recognise the potential threats from certain ideologies and take measures to protect ourselves.”

The places of worship fund was established in 2016 as part of the government’s hate crime action plan.  It provides financial support for physical protective security such as fencing, lighting and CCTV.

The £1.6 million will be available to all places of worship across England and Wales. To find out more information see – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/places-of-worship-security-funding-scheme#about-the-scheme