Please find below an update statement from Metropolitan Police Borough Commander, Dan Knowles, on local policing approach following a rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia-related offences in the wake of events in Israel/Gaza.
I wanted to share some key updates regarding the policing approach following the Hamas orchestrated terrorist attacks in Israel on 7th October. My thoughts continue to be with the entirety of the Jewish Community devastated by these attacks. Furthermore, my thoughts are extended to Jewish and Muslim Communities who are now enduring a war in Gaza, with a growing number of people being harmed. Whilst I understand the war is between Israel and Hamas, I recognise peaceful Jews and Muslims are being killed and injured amongst the developing conflict.
In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks there was anti-Semitic rhetoric on social media. Combined with the gravity of the Hamas terrorist attack, I consciously escalated policing numbers to predominantly reassure Jewish Communities regarding their protection, safety and security. Even in the absence of specific intelligence, this was deemed appropriate, aiming to instil community confidence for Jews to freely go about Jewish life.
Furthermore, anti-Semitic crime and disorder (mostly verbal abuse and use of flags) did increase in the days that followed. Reported crimes were relatively small in number, although I fully agree one is one too many. Recognising the lasting effect of anti-Semitism, I enhanced patrols.
We have now also seen an increase in Islamophobia. We have communicated with Islamic faith leads and community contacts. We have further enhanced visible presence in support of safety and community confidence, recognising the impact of Islamophobia.
We have maintained a policing position of being swift and thorough in relation to all forms of hate crime, and I am proud of the consistency with which Met teams have responded quickly and investigated thoroughly to date.
To date my teams have provided 850 individual engagement contacts with community members at Faith Premises, Schools, Business Premises and other locations. We are currently averaging 115 engagements per day, balancing security reassurance with approachable crime prevention.
This week, I have added to our already enhanced dedicated patrols. On Friday, this will give additional visible presence for pre-Shabbat shopping. We will be visibly engaging with Muslim Community Members around afternoon prayers. I have further enhanced the number of officers brought to duty for Shabbat on Saturday, focusing on key areas around Synagogues.
Throughout this week I have support of our specialist colleagues who will be visible at times, when not called away for operational service. Please do not be concerned if you see colleagues from our Force Firearms Command and Public Order Reserve. They are friendly and are there for reassurance, not in response to intelligence. All policing will be in addition to our ongoing efforts to deliver more trust, less crime and high standards across frontline policing.
I am grateful for the overwhelming majority of our public in coming together to support each other and show there is no place for hate amongst the entirety of our communities. I ask that all our communities continue to come together in support of peace across Barnet, Brent and Harrow.
Please do continue to report matters of crime and intelligence through the usual services of 999 (emergencies), 101 (non-emergencies), and 0800 555 111 (Crimestoppers). I am aware this letter may be circulated with other support services and contacts also. I am grateful for those volunteering in their communities to further support peace, safety and reassurance.
There remains, to my knowledge, no specific intelligence in relation to Barnet, Brent or Harrow. I hope by detailing our plans and efforts to date you feel reassured to go about your lives as normally and peacefully as possible.