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| England and Wales enhancing security in Jewish neighborhoods |
The British government has announced it will spend more than £250 million ($335 million) over the next three years to boost security in Jewish neighborhoods and improve the protection of Jewish residents.
The government stated that "the funding will provide more than 500 additional officers across England and Wales, enhancing security in Jewish neighborhoods and around Jewish schools, synagogues and community centers."
The British capital has seen a series of attacks on Jewish sites, including the burning of four ambulances belonging to Jewish residents in March. In April, Britain raised its national "terrorist threat" assessment from "substantial" to "severe" after an anti-Semitic stabbing attack in north London.
This package comes in addition to £25 million in funding announced following the stabbings in April. The new package includes around 300 additional officers in London and around 80 officers in Greater Manchester - where a synagogue was attacked last year - along with £43 million allocated to forces serving other areas with large Jewish populations.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement on Monday: "The rise in anti-Semitism we have seen in the last few years is a test of our values as a nation, and tackling it has been central to my leadership from day one."
London's Metropolitan Police are set to receive £86 million of new funding, while £59 million has been "allocated for counter-terrorism".
The government indicated that "police will increase patrols during times of heightened risk, providing clear reassurance and helping to deter hate crimes and anti-Semitism."
