Kent synagogue raises over £8,000 to improve security after burial ground attack

A synagogue in Kent has raised over £8,000 to improve its security after being vandalised a dozen times over the last decade. 

Chatham Memorial Synagogue began its most recent appeal last month after vandals knocked over and smashed several headstones in the attached cemetery.

Last month’s attack left the local community “appalled and deeply upset”, a spokesperson said.

Following an appeal, the synagogue raised £8,500 to fund security improvements, with some individuals and organisations donating as much as £1,000.

Trustees are planning to use the donations to build a security gate for the cemetery though they will likely face additional costs due to the site’s historical significance.

The Grade II listed synagogue is the only synagogue with an attached cemetery in Britain. Any construction will have to involve archaeological work as well as gain planning permission from Medway Council.

Previous attacks that damaged CCTV cameras cost the synagogue £5,000 to replace from donations already raised.

Synagogue trustee Dr Dalia Halpern-Matthews told the PA Media agency last month: “We do a huge amount to try to break down barriers and this kind of attack overall doesn’t diminish our desire to break down those barriers, it makes us want to fight all the harder the pernicious nature of antisemitism and racism and bias.”

A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.