Woodford Forest’s security lead, Graeme Taylor, noted how the synagogue once hosted public events, but stopped 20 years ago when it became clear that open access was no longer a good idea.
“Now people are nervous, there is a lot of fear,” he said, though he added that inside the shul, “they feel safe, we have security, CCTV,” as the meeting continued behind locked doors.
A short distance away, in Redbridge, lampposts were draped with Palestinian flags in the months following October 7, while a speaker at a nearby Islamic centre was recorded calling for Allah to “curse the Jews”.
Police officers gather in Trafalgar Square ahead of a planned protest in support of Palestine Action on October 4, 2025 (Image: Getty)Getty Images
Against that backdrop and following the first deadly attack on a synagogue in modern British history, in Manchester last Yom Kippur, the Met has deployed drones and has assessed whether armed officers might be needed.
Jukes told the JC: “We want people to be able to be safe and feel safe, and that means a whole range of policing responses, including unarmed and armed officers.”
The meeting followed an expanded policing operation over Pesach, with resources in some areas nearly tripled, as the Home Office announced an additional £5 million for security at places of worship in London and Manchester. The funding will support an expansion of Project Servator, which combines uniformed and plain-clothes patrols to deter and detect suspicious behaviour, alongside less-visible counter-terror work.
The extra funding includes £3 million to go to London. Jukes said the increased capacity will allow the Met to “surge resources” through overtime and temporary redeployments, with particular attention given to protecting synagogues and Jewish schoolchildren.
The anonymous and international nature of social media hate presents its own specific set of problems. Jukes urged the community to continue reporting suspicious behaviour online.
He said: “Every year we get thousands of pieces of information from the public about online hate, suspicious behaviour in communities [and] individuals they’re concerned about. A significant proportion of those are of material value to investigations.
“We are never going to achieve the security that the Jewish community deserve by one single mechanism. It is going to be about protection, preparation, prevention, and pursuing perpetrators.”
Within the community, there is frustration that statements from senior officers do not always translate into action. Rabbi Wollenberg acknowledged a degree of “handwringing”, saying police leaders “make the right noises,” but that this is not always felt on the ground.
Member of Orthodox community at aftermath of arson attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders, Green London (Getty)Getty Images
At the same time, he described a strong local relationship with police, noting that officers regularly check in on services and at his home. What he would like to see more of is a recognisable presence, with the same officers visiting the shul.
Describing how local officers are greeted with applause during services and offered kiddush if they arrive at the right moment, he said: “The Jewish community love it when they see a visible presence.”
The rebbetzin recalled a recent Purim party where the police officers delighted the children. “One of the officers said that of all the faiths that they’ve been to, they always feel welcome in the Jewish community, which is really special,” she said.
Jukes said that Jewish Met officers had “hugely informed” policing since October 7. Their insight has helped ensure “operational decision making takes place in a balanced and informed way”.
“The Met needs to be representative of London and be part of London,” he went on.
When arrests were made in connection with the Hatzola attack during Pesach, police used council billboards to publicise the arrest announcement, recognising that some would not have seen updates online during the chag.
Jukes was grilled by some in the community about claims of “two-tier policing”.
His response was to point to 20 arrests in recent weeks for alleged antisemitic hate crimes, supported by specialist officers.
He said: “People whose job it is to carry out manhunts every day have been going after the people who’ve been responsible for some of those hate crimes recently.”
Rabbi Wollenberg raised concerns about anti-Israel protests and the chant to “globalise the intifada”.
Jukes replied: “I hear and share the community’s concern about the choices people feel they’ve had to make over the last few years,” adding that the force does now consider the “cumulative effect” of protests.
He says his hopes is that a more thoughtful approach to policing, with increased officer numbers as well as more sensitivity around religious factors, will make the community feel safer. As the rebbetzen returned to her Shabbat preparations and the shul readied for the service, Jukes headed off to meet the local Progressive community.
