The Metropolitan police will boost armed patrols to protect Jewish families ahead of Passover after the Golders Green arson attack, the Metropolitan Police commissioner has said.
In a speech at the Community Security Trust (CST) Annual Dinner in London on Monday evening, Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner outlined a plan of new and expanded measures to protect the Jewish community across the capital.
The plan, due to be effective immediately, involves additional deployment of officers, including armed patrols, as well as the use of specialist equipment such as drones and mounted police and greater collaboration with the CST, a charity protecting the Jewish community from antisemitism.
Mr Rowley said there will be 264 additional officers committed to protecting the Jewish community, with an increase in highly visible armed patrols and taser-equipped police in order to deter attackers and give reassurance to communities.
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This comes after three Jewish ambulances parked in Golders Green were set alight in the early hours of Monday morning.
Whilst the perpetrators of the attack are yet to be determined, a group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia - believed to be an Iranian proxy - have claimed responsibility.
Mr Rowley said: “It is too early for me to attribute last night’s attack in Golders Green to the Iranian state - that is rightly for the counter terrorism investigation to determine - but whoever was responsible, the impact is serious.
“We believe three suspects were involved and we are pursuing all lines of enquiry, including an online claim of responsibility by an Islamist group who have claimed other attacks across Europe and have potential Iranian state links.”
What was left of the three ambulances belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance service, Hatzolah
|GETTY
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (translates to the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right), has suddenly emerged in the last month, claiming they are behind attacks against Jewish institutions in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Met commissioner continued, outlining there will be greater protections for key sites, such as Jewish schools, synagogues, community centres, particularly ahead of Passover, which begins on April 1.
He said there will be joint operations with the CST, with the Met Police taking advantage of their intelligence network and volunteer capability.
The police will also coordinate with representatives of the Jewish community, taking daily calls with them to foster intelligence sharing.
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The Metropolitan Police Crime Commissioner, Mark Rowley, spoke at a dinner hosted by the Community Security Trust on Monday night
|GETTY
He said that since October 7, 2023, there has been greater policing of Jewish communities “than ever before”.
“With Passover approaching and conscious of the events this morning, my officers will be working to protect your community, disrupt offenders and detect crime.”
Around 1:45am on Monday morning, ambulances belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance service, Hatzolah, were set alight outside the Machzike Hadath Synagogue.
Mr Rowley acknowledged the speed and courage of emergency staff and volunteers in light of the incident, saying it was a an “attack on a British community”.
He said: “I want to acknowledge the extraordinary speed and professionalism of local volunteers who responded within minutes, CST teams, synagogue security and Hatzolah staff.
“Their actions alongside my officers last night quite literally protected lives. And let us be clear about what was targeted: a volunteer ambulance service that serves everyone, of every background.
An attack on Hatzolah is not only an attack on the Jewish community but an attack on all of us.
“There is no “us and them”. There is only an attack on a British community.”
The Met Commissioner concluded his speech with "three simple messages".
He said: "First: the threat is serious and we fully understand its weight.
"Second: we are responding with the highest level of sustained operational commitment.
"Third: we stand with you, not just in words, but in visible, daily action.
"CST and the Met have worked together for many years. But I believe that partnership is now stronger than it has ever been, and it will matter more than ever in the months ahead."