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Met forms team after attacks on Jewish community
TL;DR
The Metropolitan Police is deploying a new Community Protection Team of 100 officers to safeguard London's Jewish communities following recent attacks. This initiative comes after arson incidents and a double stabbing being investigated as terrorism.
Key points
- 100 additional officers to protect Jewish communities in London
- New Community Protection Team includes neighbourhood and counter-terrorism officers
- Recent arson attacks and a double stabbing prompted the initiative
- Community Security Trust welcomed the police's announcement
- 50 arrests made in connection with antisemitic hate crimes
Mentioned in this story
Metropolitan PoliceCommunity Security TrustLondon
A dedicated team of 100 additional officers is to be deployed to protect London's Jewish communities, the Metropolitan Police has said.
The force said the new Community Protection Team would comprise of officers from neighbourhood policing, specialist protection and those with counter terrorism capabilities.
It follows a series of arson attacks on Jewish sites in London, as well as a double stabbing in Golders Green that is being treated as an act of terrorism.
Community Security Trust (CST) - a charity set up to protect British Jews from antisemitism - welcomed the announcement and said it sent a strong message to would-be offenders.
About 50 people have been arrested following several antisemitic hate crimes in London in recent weeks, with eight charged, according to the Met.
These includeattacks on synagogues,a Jewish ambulance charityand a memorial wall in Golders Green.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley previously said 300 extra police officers were needed across London as he warned of a growing "pandemic" of antisemitism in the UK.
The new team of officers is to be made up of those who are "locally based, understand their communities, and have strong relationships with residents, schools, faith leaders and volunteers".
Sir Mark said: "The creation of a new Community Protection Team of around 100 officers is an important step in strengthening our response to the sustained threats Jewish communities are facing.
"We are working with 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."
He added that that longer-term investment would be needed to maintain the response.
A spokesperson for CST said: "This new measure is an important step at a time of heightened anti-Jewish hatred and reflects the seriousness of the threats currently facing the community.
"The increase in the number of arrests for antisemitic hate crimes in recent weeks is a welcome sign of effective action being taken by the police, which we hope will send a strong message both to the Jewish community and to would-be offenders."
The announcement follows a £25m government funding package for protective policing, of which £18m has been allocated to the Met.
Q&A
What prompted the Metropolitan Police to form a new team for Jewish community protection?
The formation of the new team was prompted by a series of arson attacks on Jewish sites and a double stabbing in Golders Green being treated as terrorism.
How many officers are included in the new Community Protection Team?
The new Community Protection Team will consist of 100 additional officers.
What actions have been taken against antisemitic hate crimes in London recently?
Approximately 50 individuals have been arrested for antisemitic hate crimes in London, with eight of them charged.
