In response to a wave of antisemitic incidents, including stabbings, arson, and petrol bomb attacks, the Metropolitan Police in London announced the creation of a dedicated "community protection team." This initiative comes after the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the national threat level from substantial to severe, indicating that an attack is highly likely within the next six months. The new unit, which will initially consist of 100 officers, is designed to offer more visible and intelligence-led protection to the city's Jewish communities.
The "community protection team" will integrate neighbourhood policing with specialist counter-terrorism and protection capabilities. Met Commissioner Mark Rowley emphasized the importance of the unit in providing consistent protection against sustained threats. The unit’s officers, familiar with local communities, will have the added support of specialized resources to effectively respond to the challenges posed by recent attacks.
The announcement follows a series of troubling incidents, including the recent arson targeting a former synagogue in east London, and a stabbing attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green. These events are part of a broader pattern of antisemitic violence, including attacks on synagogues and the destruction of ambulances used by the Hatzola Jewish charity. The Met Police have arrested over 80 individuals in the past month related to antisemitic crimes.
The creation of the new unit is framed as an initial step, with potential plans for expansion. In previous discussions, Rowley had suggested increasing the team size to 300 officers, which could include armed personnel. Despite the focus on protecting Jewish communities, the Met reassured the public that protection for other communities will not be compromised. The force reiterated its ongoing commitment to tackling hate crimes, including anti-Muslim hate, racism, and homophobia. The unit for Jewish communities could also serve as a model for addressing similar threats to other communities facing targeted violence.
Additionally, the chief prosecutor for England and Wales, Stephen Parkinson, has announced that hate crime prosecutions, particularly those related to antisemitism, will be fast-tracked in response to the rise in such incidents. The police and government continue to take decisive action against the ongoing threat to Jewish communities in London.
