Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking is taking to prevent crimes against churches.

The Government is committed to cutting crime, and is investing in prevention to ensure that every opportunity is taken to stop unnecessary crimes from happening. The Government is committed to protecting churches from hate crime through the Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme. The 2020-21 round launched on 16 June with an uplift to £3.2 million- double the amount awarded last year. Over the last four years we have awarded 183 grants worth approximately 3 million to places of worship across England and Wales - with 76 churches receiving funding.

The Government has an established programme that provides those responsible for crowded places including churches with high quality advice and guidance to ensure appropriate measures may be taken to reduce their vulnerability. Free advice from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) for crowded places includes specific advice for places of worship.