Northumbria Police is one of nine forces sharing £251mn over three years from the government to enable them to offer extra protection to Jewish communities following recent attacks in London and Manchester and the raising of the national terror threat level from substantial to severe.
The funding will deliver more than 500 additional officers across England and Wales, boosting security in Jewish neighbourhoods and around schools, synagogues and community centres, while strengthening national counter-terrorism capabilities, said the government.
This includes around 300 additional officers in London and around 80 in Greater Manchester. There will also be £43m for seven forces serving other areas with significant Jewish populations, one of which is Northumbria.
The government said the announcement built on one made earlier this year of a £25m fund to provide immediate protection for Jewish communities. By making this longer-term commitment, police forces would be able to deliver more high-visibility patrols and stronger local engagement in areas with significant Jewish populations, including around synagogues and schools, over the next three years.
Patrols would be increased at times of heightened vulnerability, offering visible reassurance and helping to deter hate crime and antisemitic incidents. Officers would work more closely with Jewish communities through a permanent presence in areas with significant Jewish communities across the country, strengthening relationships with representative groups and places of worship.
The government said it was also delivering a record £32.4m in 2026-27 for protective security for Jewish communities including at synagogues, Jewish schools and community centres.
A test of our values
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The rise in antisemitism we have seen in recent years is a test of our values as a country and tackling it has been central to my leadership from day one. That is why earlier this year, I brought together leaders from business, education, health, policing and civil society at Downing Street to drive a coordinated response across every corner of our society.
“We have also taken action across government to protect Jewish communities, tackle antisemitism in schools, universities and public services and strengthen our response to extremism and hate, including online. This funding builds on that work – delivering a step-change in protection and policing so Jewish communities can live and celebrate their faith free from fear.”
The package will also continue Project Servator, deploying specialist and plain-clothes officers trained to identify suspicious behaviour and prevent serious crime, and it will enhance national capabilities and counter terrorism policing to ensure that no faith community feels under threat.
Police forces nationwide will also be able to draw on an additional 100,000 officer hours per year and all police officers in England and Wales will receive antisemitism training. Specialised capabilities, intelligence, investigative and coordination functions will be increased to ensure a joined-up approach to tackling antisemitism, including bolstering the response to online antisemitic hate crime.
While enhancing security was essential, said the government, tackling antisemitism at its source was equally important. That was why it was taking a comprehensive approach to countering antisemitism, confronting extremism and strengthening community cohesion. It has invested £7mn to tackle antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities and introduced the Online Safety Act to ensure technology companies remove illegal content, including antisemitic material. Police also have new powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2026 to restrict protests around places of worship. The NHS and the Department for Education have undertaken reviews into antisemitism in healthcare and education settings. At the same time, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) have expanded programmes aimed at building stronger relationships between communities and tackling division before it took hold.
Critical time for the future of British Jews
Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: “After a series of appalling attacks against Jewish communities, the difficult decision was made to raise the threat level to severe. My thoughts remain with the victims of these vile attacks. [Now] we are going further and providing record funding to help keep Jewish people safe, supporting visible policing and protection around synagogues, schools and community centres. We will do everything in our power to rid society of the evil of antisemitism.”
Mark Gardner, Community Security Trust (CST) chief executive, said: “This serious increase in policing and government support comes not a moment too soon, because this is a critical time for the future of British Jews. CST and our many communal partners will keep working with police and government to ensure that these deployments are as effective as possible. We thank everyone who plays their part in the continuing struggle against anti-Jewish racism and terrorism, all of which threatens society as a whole.”
Joint Leads on Race Disparity, Equality and Human Rights, at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Alison Lowe (West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor) and John Campion (West Mercia PCC) said: “This funding announcement will bolster forces’ work in areas where antisemitism is a particular challenge, but it is vital policing as a sector and the individuals within it fully understand and recognise anti-Jewish hatred, so we are pleased to see money for additional training.
“Antisemitism is a stain on our society that should have been consigned to history. Police and Crime Commissioners and Deputy Mayors will, on the public’s behalf, hold their chief constables to account so that all communities, regardless of faith or ethnicity, can feel safe.”
Russell Langer, Director of Public Affairs at the Jewish Leadership Council said: “After the deadly terrorist attack against a synagogue in Manchester and the stabbings in Golders Green, this is an important step in ensuring increased protection for Jewish communities in the UK. Security and policing alone cannot address the fact that anti-Jewish hatred remains at record levels in modern Britain. Ensuring Jewish communities can live openly and without fear requires sustained effort, leadership and action. We will continue to work with government and law enforcement to ensure communities receive the protection they need.”
Board of Deputies Vice President Karen Newman said: “We warmly welcome the government’s announcement of this major investment in policing to protect the Jewish community, and we are grateful for the commitment and work of all in government, from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer down, to ensure our safety.
“Protection is one element of the response we called for after the recent wave of antisemitic violence, alongside prosecution of those inciting hatred, and partnership to tackle antisemitic extremism.
This substantial commitment will make a real difference, not only in making our community safer, but in tackling a form of extremism that harms our whole society, and we hope to ensure Britain is a cohesive and tolerant home for people of all faiths and backgrounds.”
This report is based on a press release from the Home Office.
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