The government is to set up a new £2.4 million fund to pay for protection of UK religious institutions, it has been announced.
The Home Office had said that the money was for “protective security at synagogues, mosques, churches and other places of worship”.
But a spokesperson made clear on Tuesday that, contrary to prior reports, synagogues would not be included within the scheme.
The Home Office also announced that the Crown Prosecution Service will be issuing new guidance on racially and religiously aggravated crime, with prosecutors encouraged to push for tougher sentences in such cases.
Amber Rudd, the new Home Secretary, said: “Hatred directed against any community, race or religion has no place whatsoever in our diverse society and it needs to be kicked to the curb.
“We are Great Britain because we are united by values like democracy, free speech, mutual respect and opportunity for all.
"Where crimes are committed we must make sure victims have the confidence to report incidents and the law is rigorously enforced.”
The announcement come in the wake of an increase in hate crimes in the wake of the Brexit vote.
In launching the fund, the Home Office referred to a “rise in incidents of hate crime, directed at people because they are members of ethnic minorities or due to their nationality, in recent weeks.”
Figures released on Friday showed a high level of racially-charged incidents in the run-up to last month’s EU referendum and in its aftermath. In a four-week period starting from mid-June, over 6,000 incidents involving hate were reported to police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The highest daily number – 289 – was on June 29, the day after the Brexit vote result.
Mark Gardner, director of communications for the Community Security Trust, welcomed the Home Office's move.
He said: “CST is very glad to have played its part in the formulation of the new hate crime action plan.
“We hope that it will be of benefit to all communities moving forward.”
