The Metropolitan Police has announced 100 new officers will be deployed as part of a new task force to protect London’s Jewish communities amid a wave of antisemitic attacks in the city.
The Community Protection Team will comprise officers from neighbourhood policing, specialist protection and counter terrorism units to provide a “more visible, intelligence-led and coordinated presence focused on protecting Jewish communities across London”.
The force said the team’s primary focus initially will be on protecting the Jewish community, “which faces some of the highest levels of hate crime alongside significant terrorist and hostile state threats”.
The announcement was made the day after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convened leaders from across society in Downing Street to call for action on antisemitism.
It follows a flurry of arson attacks in recent weeks on Jewish sites in London, including charities and synagogues, as well as last week’s double stabbing in Golders Green.
Counter Terror Police are currently investigating the latest suspected arson attack at a former synagogue in Nelson Street, Whitechapel, on Tuesday.
Around 50 people have been arrested in connection with the various incidents, with eight charged so far.
In announcing the new taskforce, the Met police said on Wednesday: “British Jews now appear on the hate lists of every major extremist movement: extreme right‑wing groups, Islamist terrorists, elements of the extreme left and hostile state actors. It is a deeply concerning convergence, and Jewish communities are living with the consequences of that risk daily.”
Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley previously said an extra 300 police officers were needed across London as he warned of a growing “pandemic” of antisemitism.
He said that the 100 officers in the Community Protection Team are people who are “locally based, understand the communities, and have strong relationships with residents, schools, faith leaders and volunteers”.
He added that the creation of the team “is an important step in strengthening our response to the sustained threats Jewish communities are facing.
"We are working with the government and the mayor to ensure the approach we are building can be sustained over time, not just for Jewish communities, but as a model that can support other communities across London when facing elevated risk."
It comes as planned legislation will allow the UK to designate foreign proxy groups as intelligence services and impose sentences of up to 14 years on those acting on their behalf – even unknowingly – to strengthen efforts against state-linked threats, including antisemitic attacks.
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