UK Jewish community on high alert after Paris terror

Security for Jewish community institutions has been stepped up following Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.

A Community Security Trust spokesperson sought to reassure people that it is “in close contact with police and government to discuss the implications of the attack for UK Jewish security”.

Following a series of attacks in Paris which killed 129, they said there is “no specific intelligence concerning potential attacks here in the UK.” It continues: “Overseas terrorism can perversely ‘inspire’ others to copy their example here in Britain”.

“In view of this overall situation, CST increased its guarding levels at synagogues this Shabbat and we will continue to review our security in the coming days.

We ask that all communal venues, organisations and events ensure existing security procedures are rigorously enforced, and we ask everybody attending communal buildings and events to follow the instructions of the security officers present.”

Other community organisations reacted to the attacks, with the Board of Deputies of British Jews saying: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone caught up in the horrific terrorist murders perpetrated in Paris.”

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said he was “so deeply shocked to hear about the horrific events in Paris. Our hearts go out to the families of those killed and the many wounded in this senseless and brutal attack on our freedom and our democratic values.”

Reform Judaism’s Senior Rabbi, Laura Janner-Klausner condemned the attacks, and said: “When I visited Paris in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo and Hypercacher shootings earlier this year, the recurrence of terrorist attacks on an even larger scale would have been unthinkable. Tragically that prospect has now become reality.”