On Sunday 21st July, Strengthening Faith Institutions (SFI) partnered up with Touchstone Security Solutions yet again to deliver the ‘Safety and Security Training’ workshop at Ramgahria Sikh Temple in Derby. Trustees, senior managers and volunteers gained skills in basic security awareness, in a bid to tackle the rising challenges posed by religiously motivated hate crime.
Members of all faith communities across the United Kingdom deserve to be able to safely practice their faith in their place of worship. The increasing prevalence of religiously motivated hate crimes by 40% over the last year means that members of faith groups must ensure their places of worship are safe. Similarly to other faith communities, Sikhs are vulnerable to hate crime, which have recently included dangerous and violent attacks on gurdwaras. It was only last year that Guru Nanak Gurdwara Sahib in Edinburgh was subjected to a petrol bomb arson attack.
Our workshop in Derby aimed to provided members of the gurdwara with the knowledge and expertise to enhance safety and security in their place of worship. Trustees, senior managers and sevadars learned about basic security awareness, whilst also learning about The Home Office’s ‘Protective Security Funding Scheme’ for places of worship. This government-led scheme aims to provide faith institutions with improved security equipment and infrastructure, including CCTV, alarms and more secure doors and gates. Successful applicants will receive funding for 80% of the costs to install new security infrastructure, and applications close on 31st August 2019.
Click the link below for more information on how to apply for the government’s Protective Security Funding Scheme.