Prosecutors in England and Wales have been instructed to fast-track hate crime cases following a surge in antisemitic attacks, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as a 'crisis for all of us'. The directive, issued by Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson, aims to address the 'climate of fear' felt by the Jewish community.
Under the new guidance, prosecutors are encouraged to bring cases forward as quickly as possible, even if some supporting evidence can be obtained later. This marks a departure from standard practice, where a full evidence file is typically compiled before a charging decision. In certain cases, such as public order offences, charges may be based solely on a reliable victim's account.
The move comes after a stabbing attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, which police are treating as terrorism. Starmer convened a summit at Downing Street, urging universities, arts groups, and charities to do more to combat antisemitism. Universities will be required to publish audits on campus antisemitism, while Arts Council England faces potential funding withdrawals for promoting antisemitism.
Starmer also warned Iran of 'consequences' if it is found to have been involved in recent attacks. The government has pledged to introduce legislation to sanction state-backed groups like Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), though campaigners have called for faster action. The Board of Deputies of British Jews has echoed this call for the IRGC to be proscribed and its ambassador expelled.
