UK police step up security measures amid antisemitism concerns before Jewish holidays

Thames Valley Police is ramping up security measures to safeguard Jewish communities in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire as the Jewish holidays approach. The specialized operation, dubbed Op Tishrei, will commence on Rosh Hashanah and extend through Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah. Residents can anticipate a surge in police presence around synagogues and nearby areas, which will include highly visible patrols by neighborhood policing teams, armed officers, Project Servator deployments, and specialist resources.

The heightened security response is a direct reaction to the surge in antisemitic incidents globally since the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023. Recent fatalities include a synagogue shooting in Manchester during Yom Kippur and an assault at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia. Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt is spearheading the operation alongside the Community Security Trust. Bunt acknowledged the understandable concerns of local Jewish communities regarding their safety during the holidays.

Bunt detailed that the operation will see armed and unarmed officers on patrol, assistance from specialist units, and community engagement staff interacting with residents, alongside their partners, as well as implementing security measures not visible to the public. The intelligence-led operation, funded by the government through the Protecting Jewish Communities Fund, is being coordinated closely with the Community Security Trust.

The CST emphasized the extensive preparation undertaken ahead of the High Holy Days, aiming for a secure celebration of these religious observances.