The head of the Metropolitan Police has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to provide funding for a significant increase in police numbers to protect London's Jewish community from antisemitic terror attacks.
Sir Mark Rowley's Urgent Appeal
Sir Mark Rowley said he wants up to 300 additional officers, including firearms-trained units, to safeguard the community following the Golders Green attack. The commissioner expressed 'very concerned' about the sustainability of the current approach, which relies on drafting officers from across London rather than maintaining a dedicated force in areas with large Jewish populations.
Speaking to broadcast media, he warned of a 'pandemic of anti-Semitism' in Britain amid the Gaza conflict and the Israeli-US war with Iran. He also voiced concern about the scale of upcoming protests planned for the Bank Holiday weekend.
Terror Threat Level Raised
After the stabbings, the UK terrorism threat level was raised to 'severe', indicating a terror attack is 'highly likely'. Sir Mark told Times Radio: 'Obviously, the horrific attack took place on Wednesday. That evening, I put a proposal into Government about what it would take to be able to sustain this with a dedicated, enhanced neighbourhood policing presence focused on Jewish communities and some extra specialist resources, such as more firearms officers to support them, (the) best parts of 300 extra officers that we're looking at, and I hope we get some resolution on the funding conversations with Government imminently.'
He added: 'It's good they've made some interim funding announcements, but to be able to recruit and sustain that, I need some urgent updates.'
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Keir Starmer was branded a 'coward' and a 'traitor' after avoiding a direct confrontation with angry locals. He was booed as his convoy passed through crowds for a closed-door meeting nearly a mile from the stabbing scene. Last night, he did not rule out deploying the British Army to north London to help maintain order, telling Jewish News: 'That sense of emergency is there.'
Home Office minister Alex Davies-Jones agreed with Sir Mark about a growing 'pandemic' of antisemitism but declined to specify when the Metropolitan Police would receive a response to its funding request. She said: 'Discussions will be ongoing with the Home Secretary (Shabana Mahmood) and I know that she is taking this extremely seriously. She was in Golders Green this week, she's working with Sir Mark Rowley and she hears his calls for more officers, as she does across England and Wales. It's important that we get it right and we get the effective resourcing where we need it.'
