Protecting places of worship consultation
A consultation on what steps should be taken to provide greater protection from hate crime for places of worship. Open to individuals and organisations in England and Wales.
The deadline for this consultation has been extended to 28 June 2020 because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Freedom of worship is a cornerstone of British life. The government is committed to supporting our faith communities so that they are able to worship free from fear or abuse.
In launching this consultation, we recognise the vulnerability that worshippers feel when attending their place of worship. Places of worship should be a place of comfort but leave people vulnerable to abuse and intolerance.
We understand the need to adapt the way we respond to religious hate crime recognising that no 2 religions are the same and that historical, cultural and theological differences also shape attitudes and practices towards security.
Following consultation with religious leaders we have consistently heard that there is an important balance to strike between worshipping openly and without fear, and providing adequate security measures to protect worshippers.
Please see the full ‘Protecting Places of Worship consultation’ document for more information.
The consultation is being carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), on behalf of the Home Office. Responding to the consultation is entirely voluntary.
Responses will be collated, processed and analysed by NatCen. Summary analysis will be published and shared with stakeholders. Individuals will not be identifiable in this analysis.
For details on how and why we use the information you provide in your response, and how it will be looked after, please see ‘Protecting places of worship consultation: data information document’.
Alternative formatsIf you would like the questionnaire in an alternative format or in Welsh, contact:
Faith Security Consultation, Tackling Hate Crime Team
5th floor, Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
faithsecurity.consultation@homeoffice.gov.uk
Help completing the questionnaireFor help with responding to the consultation, email protectingplacesofworship@natcen.ac.uk or phone 020 7549 7161 quoting your unique ID number.
If you have more general questions about the consultation, email faithsecurity.consultation@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Emails and phones are only monitored Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.