Extra police presence has been increased at synagogues throughout the United Kingdom following a disturbing attack described by a rabbi as “every Jewish person’s worst nightmare.” Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer expressed shock over the incident at Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, and confirmed the deployment of additional police resources. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, cutting short his summit in Copenhagen, pledged the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the Jewish community.
Johnson announced plans to chair an emergency Cobra meeting upon his return to London, emphasizing the deployment of extra police to synagogues nationwide to enhance security measures. The Community Security Trust (CST) is collaborating with law enforcement to bolster security at synagogues and within the wider Jewish community in the upcoming period. The CST advised against congregating outside communal establishments and recommended keeping synagogue doors closed at all times.
The Israeli embassy in London is actively engaged with the CST and British authorities to monitor developments and provide essential support. London Mayor Sadiq Khan assured increased police patrols in and around synagogues in the capital to reassure Jewish worshippers. Rabbi Jonathan Romain, head of the Rabbinic Court of Great Britain, highlighted heightened fears within the Jewish community due to escalating tensions following recent events, expressing dismay over the Manchester attack.
Rabbi Romain emphasized the significance of the day as a sacred occasion for the Jewish community and lamented the spillover of tensions from the Gaza conflict to the UK. He underscored the concerns of many Jews regarding the intersection of political violence and religious hatred. The CST previously reported a surge in antisemitic incidents in the UK, with a notable increase in 2023 and subsequent years, reflecting ongoing challenges faced by the Jewish community.
Recent data from the CST revealed a high number of antisemitic incidents in the first half of 2025, although showing a decrease from the record highs of previous years. The organization continues to monitor and address antisemitism trends to ensure the safety and well-being of the Jewish population in the UK.