The British government has designated more than £250 million across the next three years to better protect the country’s Jewish community following the increase in antisemitic attacks.
The funding will deliver over 500 additional officers across England and Wales, boosting security in Jewish neighbourhoods and around schools, synagogues, and community centres, while strengthening national counter-terrorism capabilities.
It includes £86 million to the Metropolitan Police, which will fund around 300 additional officers, and over £22 million to Greater Manchester Police to fund 80 additional officers.
Around £43 million will be distributed across seven other force areas with significant Jewish communities: Hertfordshire, Essex, Northumbria, Sussex, Thames Valley, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire. Of the budget, £41 million is designated for national policing coordination and increased antisemitism capabilities; this will fund antisemitism training for all officers in England and Wales and strengthen investigations.
A total of £59 million will fund Counter-Terrorism Police and bolster protective security and counter-state threats. The package will also continue Project Servator, deploying specialist and plain-clothes officers trained to identify suspicious behavior and prevent serious crime.
Rise in antisemitism tests British values
Alongside the additional 500 officers who will be present within significant Jewish communities, police forces nationwide will be able to draw on an additional 100,000 officer hours per year, and all police officers in England and Wales will receive antisemitism training.
“Today we are going further and providing record funding to help keep Jewish people safe, supporting visible policing and protection around synagogues, schools, and community centers,” Policing Minister Sarah Jones said. “We will do everything in our power to rid society of the evil of antisemitism.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said, “The poison of antisemitism has no place in our country, and we stand side by side with our Jewish communities.”
“This money will see more officers on the streets and stronger protection at community sites to ensure they have the protection they need to live their lives peacefully,” she added.
“This serious increase in policing and government support comes not a moment too soon, because this is a critical time for the future of British Jews,” Community Security Trust (CST) Chief Executive Mark Gardner said. “This serious increase in policing and government support comes not a moment too soon because this is a critical time for the future of British Jews.”