UK antisemitism fears grow as Met Police increase patrols in London after Hamas attack on Israel
The force are increasing their numbers
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The Metropolitan police have confirmed that they have increased their number of patrols in London amid fears of anti-semitic attacks due to the ongoing fighting in Gaza.
The force said it would put more officers on the streets in a response to a "number of incidents" of people celebrating Hamas' attack on Israel.
They are outlining "an appropriate policing plan" that will be put in place over the coming days.
The Community Security Trust (CST) has confirmed that they had conversations with the Home Office and decided to increase the numbers of officers on the streets.
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In a statement, Scotland Yard said: "We are aware of a number of incidents, including those that have been shared on social media, in relation to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the border with Gaza.
"The Met has increased policing patrols across parts of London in order to provide a visible presence and reassurance to our communities.
"We are aware that the ongoing conflict may lead to protests over the coming days. We will ensure that an appropriate policing plan is in place in order to balance the right to protest against any disruption to Londoners."
Fears are rising that antisemtic attacks on Jewish people in the UK could occur due to the fighting between Israel and Palestine.
During the 2021 Gaza-Israel conflict, the CST documented a 628 hate incidents directed towards British Jews between early May and early June.
This was four times the amount compared to the previous year.
At least 350 Israelis and more than 230 Palestinians have been killed after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel yesterday morning.
Fighting has continued into today and prompted retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.
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The Community Security Trust (CST) and the Home Office decided to increase the numbers of officers on the streets
PAThere has been a rise in religious-based hate crime, according to new stasistics released by the Government earlier this week.
In the 2022-2023 year, figures reveal that Jewish communities are the second-most hit by religious-based hate crimes.
They account for 17 per cent of all those recorded.
The data shows that Muslims face the highest number of religious-based hate crimes, coming in at 39 per cent.