Police forces across England are to receive a significant £251 million funding injection aimed at enhancing the safety and security of Jewish communities. The government announced the substantial investment following a notable increase in antisemitic attacks nationwide, underscoring a commitment to ensuring communities can practice their faith without fear.
The Metropolitan Police will be allocated the largest portion of this fund, receiving £86 million. This is earmarked for the recruitment of approximately 300 additional officers, who will increase police visibility in Jewish neighbourhoods, as well as around synagogues, schools, and community centres. The move follows a series of antisemitic incidents in London, including a stabbing attack in Golders Green in April, and coincides with the national terror threat level being raised to severe. Met Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes confirmed the investment would strengthen existing Community Protection Teams and facilitate the creation of further teams across three London sites, alongside establishing a community hub in Golders Green.
Beyond the capital, Greater Manchester Police is set to receive £22 million. This funding will sustain an increased policing presence in the region, particularly after a tragic attack in Heaton Park last year that resulted in the deaths of two Jewish men. A further £43 million will be distributed among seven other police force areas with significant Jewish populations, including Hertfordshire, Essex, Sussex, Thames Valley, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, and Northumbria.
The comprehensive package also includes £41 million for national policing coordination, which will fund antisemitism training for all officers across England and Wales. Additionally, £59 million will be directed towards counter-terrorism police efforts. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasised that the funding would deliver a "step change in protection and policing" for Jewish communities.
This new funding builds upon previous measures, including a £25 million emergency fund announced in April after the Golders Green attack, which retrospectively covered the cost of deploying officers to north-west London. The government has also confirmed £32.4 million for protective security at Jewish sites for 2026-27, combining an earlier £28.4 million grant announced in February with an additional £4 million allocated in May. Other previously announced initiatives cited alongside this package include £7 million to combat antisemitism in educational institutions and an expansion of community cohesion programmes.