London’s Metropolitan Police are creating a specialist community protection team of about 100 officers to safeguard Jewish communities across the city following a spate of antisemitic incidents. The force says the unit will combine neighbourhood policing with counter-terrorism specialists to deliver a more consistent protection model. The announcement follows attacks that include the stabbing of two Jewish men, who both survive, and multiple arson incidents targeting Jewish sites. Police have said several Jewish ambulances were burned and synagogues were targeted since late March. Authorities are also investigating whether the arson cases have possible links to Iran, after UK security officials warned that Iran may use criminal proxies to carry out hostile activity.
In parallel, police report making arrests related to antisemitic hate crimes. These include detaining a 35-year-old man after rocks were thrown at a Jewish community ambulance. Over recent weeks, the Metropolitan Police say they have arrested around 50 people for antisemitic hate crimes and charged eight, with additional arrests connected to arson and other serious incidents. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also convenes meetings with business, health and cultural leaders to address antisemitism.
