My message to Britain’s Jewish community: We hear your fear

Arson attacks, knife attacks, terrorism.

There is little wonder that the Jewish community is telling us that you feel afraid when you have time and again been the target of such atrocious acts.

Not only have many of these incidents occurred in quick succession in recent months, but they have also occurred here on British soil – on the streets where you live and work and at your places of worship – making the threat feel relentless and immediate.

And this is in addition to the atrocities of 7 October 2023 and the Bondi Beach attack – incidents which, while geographically distant, would have had a significant impact on British Jews, as they not only feared for loved ones in the affected regions but were once again reminded just how deep-rooted antisemitism is in our society.

And so, I sincerely hope today’s announcement that the UK government has committed its largest ever investment to protecting our Jewish communities provides some reassurance and hope.

I echo that pledge and vow to do all I can to work with my fellow chief constables to ensure we are doing all we can to protect and engage with you.

Reassurance that those in power, and those responsible for keeping communities safe, are listening is vital. We recognise the threat you face, and we hear you when you tell us how fearful you are in your homes, your schools, and your places of worship.

Alongside other police leaders, including the Deputy Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police – which serves and protects more than 50 percent of the UK’s Jewish population – have pushed for additional funding so that we can provide you with the service you deserve.

More than £250m will be spent on increasing security for Jewish communities specifically over the next three years.

The funding will enable us to increase officer numbers to provide a much more visible presence and security in those places where you should feel safest but where you’re telling us you feel most at risk.

It will be spent ensuring Jewish people can go about their days free to observe and celebrate their religion without fear of persecution simply because of who they are and what they believe in. It will be spent ensuring schools and synagogues can once more feel like safe spaces and not a magnet for hate and hostility.

I sincerely hope today’s announcement that the UK government has committed its largest ever investment to protecting our Jewish communities provides some reassurance and hope

The UK has always had a strong history of being an open and tolerant society, where people of all backgrounds can live and work together, and for too long antisemitism, hate, hostility and extremism have threatened that.

As a society, we must do all we can to call out and tackle hate and hostility in all its forms. We will continue to work alongside government and criminal justice partners to ensure all agencies are united in their commitment to tackling antisemitism.

We will also continue to engage with you, our local Jewish community, as well as organisations such as the Community Security Trust, to do all we can to earn your trust and ensure you feel heard, understood, safe and protected.

• Chief Constable Gavin Stephens is the Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council