UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced an additional £10 million (approximately Rs 14 crore) to boost security for Muslim communities and mosques across the country, following growing concerns over recent attacks on Muslims and arson attacks at mosques.

Starmer visited the Peacehaven mosque in East Sussex on Thursday (October 23) after a suspected arson attack and said the government was providing extra security for the Muslim community so they could live in "peace and security". He added: "Britain is a proud and tolerant country. An attack on one community is an attack on the whole nation and our values."

The government said the new funding would help mosques and Muslim religious centres in the UK install CCTV, alarm systems, security fencing and employ trained security guards. During his visit, Prime Minister Starmer spoke to the family of a member of the arson attack victim, who said the man was still in a state of shock.

"We shouldn't have security forces in places of worship, but unfortunately we have today," Starmer said. The incident on October 4 burned down the main entrance to the mosque and a car, but no one was injured. Sussex Police are investigating it as a hate crime and three people were arrested on Wednesday on charges of arson with intent to cause death. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was accompanied on the visit by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

According to government data, Islamophobic crime in the UK rose by 19 percent in 2025. Of all religious hate crimes, 44 percent were targeted at Muslims. Akila Ahmed, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, welcomed the government's announcement, saying, "Our hope is that everyone can live in peace, free from fear."