Police have told the Muslim organisation planning to open the Harrogate district’s first mosque to include extra security measures due to safety fears.
Harrogate Islamic Association has applied for planning permission to convert the former Home Guard club on the corner of Tower Street and Belford Place into a place of worship.
As part of the planning process, the council consults some organisations to see if they lend support, recommend refusal or suggest alterations.
North Yorkshire Police has submitted a designing out crime report, which says the main crime associated with mosques is racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage.
It suggests that the plans include external lighting, iron railings, laminated glass, CCTV and intruder alarms.
Police also suggest an external post box to prevent arson.
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The mosque faces opposition from a leaflet campaign and Bristol planning expert Gavin Boby, who calls himself the Mosquebuster.
But many people posted supportive comments on social media when the Stray Ferret reported the opposition yesterday.
Harrogate Civic Society has also lent its support after rejecting two previous proposed sites for the mosque.
Henry Pankhurst, on behalf of the civic society, said:
“We are very hopeful that the building will be able to take its place, once repaired and refurbished, as a worthy neighbour to all of the notable nearby properties.
“Railings should be erected as above and windows should be of a design which is suitable for this historic building and the conservation area.
“Every care should be taken to preserve historic features internally as well as externally.”
