Police and CST attempt to quell concerns over increase in armed officers

The Community Security Trust has acknowledged the increased police presence in Jewish areas of London as part of a new operation launched by the Metropolitan Police.

In a letter sent to Jewish communal organisations, the Met said Operation Hercules, which started this week, would: “Visibly deploy more armed officers on proactive operations and targeted patrols across London.”

Mark Gardner, CST’s director of communications, said: “CST and the police have worked very closely together to plan and enact armed foot patrols in various areas of London with large Jewish communities.

“It is not in response to any specific threat, but is part of the overall increase in visibly armed Police patrols in London.”