London Police Form Anti-Hate Unit

The United Kingdom — Metropolitan Police in London announced the formation of a new 'Community Protection Team' comprising 100 officers. This team, initially focused on protecting Jewish communities, will combine neighborhood policing with specialist protection and counter-terrorism capabilities to provide a more visible and intelligence-led presence. The move comes in response to a surge in antisemitic hate crimes, including a terrorist stabbing attack in Golders Green and multiple arson attacks on Jewish sites. Mark Rowley, the Met Police Commissioner, highlighted the need for long-term investment to sustain these efforts. The United Kingdom government has provided 18 million pounds in funding to support protective policing. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have also emphasized the importance of tackling hate crime and ensuring the safety of Jewish Londoners. Additionally, Stephen Parkinson, the chief prosecutor, announced fast-tracking of hate crime prosecutions.