Met to create Golders Green hub in response to antisemitic attacks

Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes outlined the plans to spend new funding announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer this morning reports David Floyd

(Credit – Met Police)

The Metropolitan Police says it will create a community hub in Golders Green after receiving new funding from the Home Office to support its response to antisemitic attacks.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer this morning announced £250million of funding over three years to boost security for the Jewish community.

This includes funding for 300 additional police officers in London including specialist plain-clothes officers “trained to identify suspicious behaviour and prevent serious crime”.

Starmer said: “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.”

“Today’s funding builds on that work – delivering a step-change in protection and policing so Jewish communities can live and celebrate their faith free from fear.”

There have been multiple antisemitic incidents in and around Barnet in recent months.

These include an attack of Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on 23rd March, an arson attempt at a Finchley synagogue on 15th April and the stabbing of two Jewish men in a Golders Green street on 29th April.

In a recent question in parliament, Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky asked the prime minister to “tell this house what the government is doing, not only to protect the Jewish community in Hendon and Barnet but to make sure they/we can live full and proud Jewish lives free from fear”.

Explaining the Met’s plans for the new funding, Deputy Commissioner, Matt Jukes said: “Jewish communities are facing an exceptional threat with rising hate crime alongside terrorism and interference from hostile states. We thank the Home Office for this vital funding which is set to strengthen our ability to protect those most at risk and relentlessly pursue those driven by hate.

“Antisemitic hate crime has reached a two-year high. We have already deployed an additional 1,000 officers each week and Counter Terrorism Policing has made 35 arrests as part of 11 investigations. But short-term surge activity is not enough if we want to provide lasting protection for communities against the long-term threats posed by hostile states and instances of hate crime.

“This investment allows us to bolster existing dedicated community protection teams and establish further teams across three sites in London, advance our armed policing and specialist counter terrorism teams, recruit up to 300 officers, and create a community hub in Golders Green that will provide visible and locally-rooted policing.”

“This is a step change in how we protect communities in London. It will strengthen our response to antisemitism now, while creating a blueprint that ensures any community facing increased hostility knows we will stand with them and keep them safe.”

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