Antisemitic hate crime team now live in Barnet

Antisemitic hate crime team now live in Barnet

Dear all,

We know how much the recent string of arson and terror attacks has hurt and concerned communities in Barnet. No one should have to live in fear of being attacked because of who they are, and the recent increase in attacks on the Jewish community is unacceptable. 

Immediately after the arson attack on the Hatzola ambulances in March, we stepped up additional patrols, with an extra 1,000 officer shifts a week being directed to protect Jewish communities across Barnet and London. In May we announced we were creating a new Community Protection Team focussed on tackling antisemitic hate crime. 

I’m pleased to say that, as of today, this team is now operationally active. 

The team will bring together neighbourhood policing, specialist protection and counter terrorism capabilities, providing a more visible, intelligence‑led and coordinated presence focused on protecting Jewish communities across London. 

Today, the Home Office has announced that they are providing the Met with an additional £85.8m to increase these teams by an additional 260 officers, and to set up of a brand new community hub in Golders Green, where you will be able to go to share concerns and get support from police officers. 

Speaking about the investment, Deputy Commissioner, Matt Jukes said:

“Jewish communities are facing a unique threat with rising hate crime alongside terrorism and interference from hostile states, with British Jews being nearly nine times more likely than other groups to be victims of a religious hate crime.

“Short-term surge activity is not enough if we want to provide lasting protection for communities. This investment allows us to bolster dedicated  Community Protection Teams across North-West London, recruit up to 300 officers and create a community hub in Golders Green that will provide visible and locally-rooted policing.

“This is a step change in how we protect communities in London. It will strengthen our response to antisemitism now, while creating a blueprint that ensures any community facing increased hostility knows we will stand with them and keep them safe.”

Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Community Cohesion, Cllr Sara Conway, said:  “Barnet is proudly home to the UK’s largest Jewish population and since the October 7 terrorist attacks we have seen a marked increase in antisemitism in our borough, including the appalling attacks on the Hazola ambulance service in March and the stabbings in Golders Green in April 2026.

“We welcome the £85m in new Government funding to set up a Community Protection Team and a new community hub in the heart of the Jewish community in Golders Green. Barnet Council will be providing additional support to strengthen community cohesion in the borough with a programme of our own in the coming months, supported with £500,000 from the Government over the next two years.

“We continue to work closely with the Met Police, the Community Security Trust (CST), Shomrim and local faith and community leaders to confront antisemitism and to strengthen community cohesion in our borough.

“We thank the Police, CST and Shomrim for their tireless work over the recent challenging months as well as the London Fire Service for their proactive, caring and dedicated approach to working in partnership with our local communities.”

Over the coming weeks and months, you will see more of these community protection officers as they engage with the community. Please do talk to them and tell them what they can do to make you feel safer.