Jewish communities to get £250m policing boost so they can live ‘free from fear’
Antisemitic hate crime has reached a two-year high, with the Met Police already deploying an additional 1000 officers each week.
Over £250 million is to be invested into increasing policing in Jewish communities after a spate of violent attacks, “so Jewish communities can live and celebrate their faith free from fear,” the Government has said.
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The increased funding will see a surge in police presence, patrols, and security outside synagogues and schools, as well as specialist plain-clothes officers in Jewish communities.
The announcement follows an increase in antisemitic hate crimes, including the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, in April and an arson attack at a former synagogue in Whitechapel, central London, in May.
The national terror threat level was raised from substantial to severe in April, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said tackling antisemitism “has been central to my leadership from day one”.
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The Home Office said the cash boost will see £250 million spread out across the next three years, providing Jewish communities with a major boost in protection and funding efforts to root out antisemitism across society, focusing on education, building cohesion and countering extremism.
It will deliver more than 500 additional officers across England and Wales, including around 300 additional officers in London and around 80 in Greater Manchester, along with more officers for forces serving other areas with significant Jewish populations.
The package will also continue Project Servator, deploying specialist and plain-clothes officers trained to identify suspicious behaviour and prevent serious crime.
Sir Keir said: “The rise in antisemitism we have seen in recent years is a test of our values as a country and tackling it has been central to my leadership from day one".
“That is why earlier this year, I brought together leaders from business, education, health, policing and civil society at Downing Street to drive a coordinated response across every corner of our society".
“We have also taken action across government to protect Jewish communities, tackle antisemitism in schools, universities and public services and strengthen our response to extremism and hate, including online".
“Today’s funding builds on that work – delivering a step-change in protection and policing so Jewish communities can live and celebrate their faith free from fear.”
More than £22 million will go to Greater Manchester Police to sustain the increase in policing presence following the terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue last October.
And around £43 million is to be distributed across seven other force areas with significant Jewish communities: Hertfordshire, Essex, Northumbria, Sussex, Thames Valley, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.
The Home Office said a further £86 million will go to the Metropolitan Police, while £41 million will be spent on national policing co-ordination and increased antisemitism capabilities to fund antisemitism training for all officers in England and Wales.
Meanwhile, £59 million will go to Counter-Terrorism Police to bolster protective security and counter state threats.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: “After a series of appalling attacks against Jewish communities, the difficult decision was made to raise the threat level to severe. My thoughts remain with the victims of these vile attacks.
“Today we are going further and providing record funding to help keep Jewish people safe, supporting visible policing and protection around synagogues, schools and community centres.
“We will do everything in our power to rid society of the evil of antisemitism."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The poison of antisemitism has no place in our country, and we stand side by side with our Jewish communities.
“This money will see more officers on the streets and stronger protection at community sites to ensure they have the protection they need to live their lives peacefully.”
Met Police Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said: “Jewish communities are facing an exceptional threat with rising hate crime alongside terrorism and interference from hostile states.
“This investment allows us to bolster existing dedicated Community Protection Teams and establish further teams across three sites in London, advance our armed policing and specialist Counter Terrorism teams, recruit up to 300 officers, and create a community hub in Golders Green that will provide visible and locally-rooted policing".
“This is a step change in how we protect communities in London. It will strengthen our response to antisemitism now, while creating a blueprint that ensures any community facing increased hostility knows we will stand with them and keep them safe.”