The local Conservative group stated it was “important” the council recognised the work of “critical charitable organisations”, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

A Conservative councillor has sponsored a £63,500 Barnet Council grant for an Orthodox Jewish community security group based in north-west London.

The local Conservative group stated it was “important” the council recognised the work of “critical charitable organisations”.

Dean Cohen, ward councillor for Golders Green, sponsored the grant to enable the organisation Shomrim NW to carry out its work. This follows a £45,000 grant he sponsored for Hatzolah NW.

Cllr Cohen stated: “Supporting organisations like Shomrim NW and Hatzolah NW is vital for the wellbeing and safety of our community.

“Over the last decade, we have seen much community growth with new housing developments, especially for the most vulnerable.”

Shomrim and Hatzolah are international volunteer organisations made up of local volunteers, providing a neighbourhood watch service and a pre-hospital medical response respectively.

The north-west London branch, Shomrim NW, was established in 2008 “following a large spate of burglaries and crime in the area” according to its website.

The group operates primarily “but not exclusively” in Golders Green, Childs Hill, Hendon, Finchley and Temple Fortune.

Volunteers are generally unarmed and don’t have the authority to make arrests above a citizen’s arrest.

Both groups work with emergency services and are funded by donations from the community and local area.

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