Ahead of new school year, security chiefs tell parents of ‘very real’ safety concerns

Security chiefs have written to Jewish parents before children go back to school, warning that safety concerns are “very real” at a time of increasing anti-Semitism.

In a two-page letter, the Community Security Trust said: “Children need to be aware of their behaviour and surroundings, whether travelling to/from school or simply out alone or with friends.”

The call for prudence follows “the problems highlighted by this summer’s conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the reactions to it here in Britain”.

Parents who feel ill-equipped to deal with the challenges would be given extra help, said the CST, which acknowledged that “some parents feel insufficiently trained in security”.

The past two months have seen the number of anti-Semitic incidents in Britain approach record levels. Much of this has been due to extreme reactions to the conflict between Israel and Gaza.