Met Police step up patrols in Jewish areas as Israel tensions spill out onto streets of London
London’s Metropolitan Police Service has said it will step up “reassurance patrols” after the surprise attacks by Hamas inside Israel stoked tensions in the city.
Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, a vocal campaigner against antisemitism, had shared videos of people dancing with Palestinian flags and sounding car horns across the city after the deadly Hamas attacks.
She said: “Make no mistake, this is a dangerous and terrifying time for all Jews around the world.
“People have been brutally murdered, kidnapped and there are people in London dancing.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Whenever Israel is attacked, Islamists and other racists use Israeli defensive measures as a pretext to stir up hatred against British Jews.
“There must be zero tolerance for antisemitism or glorification of terrorism on the streets of Britain.”
She said she had spoken to the Community Security Trust group “to ensure the Government is doing everything necessary for the protection of our Jewish communities”.
Mark Gardner of Community Security Trust, which provides security to Jewish communities, said the group was on a “high security alert” until further notice, noting past instances of antisemitism in the aftermath of attacks on Israel.
He said: “We’ve held extensive conversations with very senior police officers throuhgout the country. That’s already been reflected in an increase in visible police presence in Jewish areas.”
“We will protect our community come what may… go about your Jewish lives with determination and courage,” Mr Gardner added in a message to supporters.
The Met said Londoners “will see more police officers on the streets across the Capital to reassure and protect communities” and “as part of our increased policing patrols across key areas of London, we have been in touch with synagogues, mosques, and businesses to discuss their concerns and provide them with safety advice”.
The force said it had attended “a small number of low level public order incidents in different parts of London” and was “able to resolve them without arrests being made.”
Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said: “We are aware that this conflict has a far-reaching impact on communities around the world, and we extend our full support to those affected in London.
“We are listening and working with communities and partners to ensure people feel safe and protected. We ask that members of the public report anything concerning, such as threatening behaviour.”
The city’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, said: “I remain in close contact with senior leadership at the Met and communities across our city. Londoners will see an additional police presence.
