Met Police announces team of 100 extra officers to protect Jewish communities
The Metropolitan Police has announced a community protection team of 100 extra officers to help safeguard the Jewish community, despite the force’s chief previously saying 300 more officers were needed to tackle the rise in antisemitism across the capital.
The force said in its initial phase, the new team will be “primarily focused on protecting the Jewish community, which faces some of the highest levels of hate crime alongside significant terrorist and hostile state threats”.
It added that it would bring together “neighbourhood policing, specialist protection and counter terrorism capabilities” to provide a “more visible, intelligence‑led and coordinated presence focused on protecting Jewish communities across London”.
Since late March, there have been a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London, as well as a double stabbing in Golders Green that is being treated as an act of terrorism.
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 Metropolitan Police said the new team of “initially 100 extra officers”, would involve “officers who are locally based, understand their communities, and have strong relationships with residents, schools, faith leaders and volunteers”.
Published: by Radio NewsHub