British police have announced the creation of a new specialist unit of 100 officers, including counter-terrorism experts, to safeguard Jewish communities across London following a rise in anti-Semitic incidents, including a recent stabbing attack on two men.
The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday by the Metropolitan Police, comes amid ongoing investigations and a wave of arrests linked to hate crimes. Authorities recently detained a 35-year-old man after stones were thrown at a Jewish community ambulance.
London’s police chief Mark Rowley said Jewish communities are facing “sustained threats” from hostile state actors, as well as extremist groups on both the far right and far left.
Investigators are also probing potential Iranian involvement in a string of arson attacks, following warnings from British security agencies that Iran may be using criminal networks to carry out hostile activities.
Since late March, several high-profile incidents have been reported, including the burning of four Jewish ambulances and attacks on synagogues. In addition, two Jewish men were stabbed last week but survived.
Police said around 50 individuals have been arrested over the past month in connection with anti-Semitic hate crimes, with eight people formally charged. A further 28 arrests have been made in coordination with counter-terrorism units investigating arson and other serious offences.
“This new team will be primarily focused on protecting the Jewish community, which faces some of the highest levels of hate crime alongside significant terrorist and hostile state threats,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also held a meeting on Monday with leaders from business, healthcare, and cultural sectors to address the growing concern over anti-Semitism.
