Britain to boost security for Jewish communities with £250 million package

Britain is set to invest more than £250 million ($335 million) over the next three years to strengthen protection for its Jewish communities, the government announced, following a series of antisemitic incidents in recent months.

The funding package will support the deployment of more than 500 additional police officers across England and Wales, enhancing security in Jewish neighbourhoods and around schools, synagogues, and community centres, Reuters reports.

A number of attacks targeting Jewish-linked locations have been reported in London, including the arson of four Jewish community ambulances in March. In April, Britain raised its national terrorism threat level from "substantial" to "severe" after an antisemitic stabbing attack in north London.

The latest measures come in addition to £25 million in funding announced after the April stabbings and include roughly 300 extra officers in London and about 80 in Greater Manchester, where a synagogue came under attack last year. The package also allocates £43 million to police forces operating in other areas with sizable Jewish populations.

"The rise in antisemitism we have seen in recent years is a test of ​our values ​as a ⁠country and tackling it has been central to my leadership from day one," outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement on July 13.

Under the plan, London’s Metropolitan Police will receive £86 million, while £59 million has been designated for counter-terrorism policing efforts.

According to the government, police will step up patrols during periods of increased risk, providing a visible security presence and helping to prevent hate crimes and antisemitic attacks.

By Jeyhun Aghazada