£10 million to protect Jewish communities

The government has announced that up to £10 million will be dedicated to paying for more security staff and equipment around synagogues and Jewish schools.

The money will pay for more security staff and equipment around Jewish sites, such as CCTV, alarms and floodlights.

The cash will be available immediately and will be administered by the Community Security Trust (CST).

The announcement comes two weeks after a terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester and a week after statistics revealed that religious hate crimes have increased.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "I was in Manchester the day after the horrific terrorist attack and saw first-hand the fear that many Jewish people are facing. Not just on that terrible day, but every day, and in every part of their lives. The devastating truth is that antisemitism is on the rise in Britain, and we must defeat it.  

"In the days after the attack, I promised to do everything in my power to give Jewish communities the security they deserve, and this work has already begun. We are giving record levels of funding to scale up security at synagogues and faith schools, and we are giving the powers they need to tackle protests that cause repeat disruption to communities and intimidate worshippers, but more must be done.  

"Tackling this hatred will not be solved with quick fixes. It will take work across communities and in every part of our country and every part of our society. It is a national effort that I am determined this government will lead."

Mark Gardner, CST Chief Executive said: "This is a vital emergency boost for security measures at a crucial time for the Jewish community, as we confront the aftermath of the appalling Islamist terrorist attack in Manchester.

"This fund will strengthen the security infrastructure protecting our synagogues, schools, and community buildings, at a time when Jews remain, proportionally, the most likely victims of hate crime in the UK.

"We are grateful for this announcement and will continue to work closely with the government and community partners: but the root causes of antisemitism and extremism must be acknowledged and tackled if long term change is to occur."