Met forms team after attacks on Jewish community

Met forms team after attacks on Jewish community4 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJames W KellyLondonGetty ImagesThe unit will initially focus on antisemitic threats, but could serve as a model for protecting other communities facing spikes in hate crimeA dedicated team of 100 additional officers is being deployed to protect London's Jewish communities, the Metropolitan Police has said.The force said the new Community Protection Team will comprise of officers from neighbourhood policing, specialist protection and those with counter terrorism capabilities.Since late March, there have been a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London, as well as a double stabbing in Golders Green that is being treated as an act of terrorism.The Metropolitan Police said about 50 people had been arrested for antisemitic hate crimes in the past four weeks for the various attacks, with eight charged.Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley previously said 300 extra police officers were needed across London as he warned of a growing "pandemic" of antisemitism in the UK.The new team of "initially 100 extra officers", would involve "officers who are locally based, understand their communities, and have strong relationships with residents, schools, faith leaders and volunteers".The announcement follows a £25m government funding package for protective policing, of which £18m has been allocated to the Met. The force said the money had already helped fund an additional 1,000 officer shifts per week, largely through overtime and redeployment.Sir Mark said: "The creation of a new Community Protection Team of around 100 officers is an important step in strengthening our response to the sustained threats Jewish communities are facing."We are working with government and the mayor to ensure the approach we are building can be sustained over time, not just for Jewish communities, but as a model that can support other communities ac...