Police step up patrols ahead of Jewish holiday

Police have stepped up patrols in Jewish communities as they prepare to celebrate the religious holiday of Shavuot.

The increased police presence comes after forces in London and Greater Manchester were given an extra £5m by the Home Office to pay for more patrols around places of worship.

The funding has been used for Project Servator deployments, involving specialist officers who are trained to spot suspects who might be preparing to commit serious crimes. including terrorism, while simultaneously providing a reassuring presence for the public.

"It's all about building up that reassurance [and] communication," said PC Jim Roberts, while on patrol around the Broughton area of Salford.

"People need to know that if they see something that isn't quite right, if they tell us, we'll do something about it.

"Some people have been a little bit concerned about the amount of police officers on the street, but with a little bit of reassurance and telling them why we're here and what it is that we're doing, everyone seems quite happy."

The additional funding comes on top of £73.4m already committed for protective security at Jewish, Muslim and other faith sites for 2026-2027.

The extra cash was announced following an alleged arson attack in Golders Green, in north-west London in March, and the terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester in October.

Emil Singer-Fuer, who moved to Manchester from north London in 2020, said there was always a fear in the back of his mind of an antisemitic attack.

"We see, every week, friends, families, moving away to find safer countries," he said.

"It's very reassuring that there are more patrols," said Toli Yodaiken, from Prestwich.

"We appreciate that the government and the police forces have put on the extra patrol. But, at the end of the day, it's a pity that we need that extra protection.

"It's a pity that it's come to this - so it's bittersweet, in a way."

Lawrence Wolff said: "I think people feel more secure when you see the police here. If a terrorist wants to attack, when they see the police, they're less likely to."

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