Hertfordshire Constabulary to receive £9m funding to safeguard Jewish communities

Following a Home Office announcement, Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner confirmed that the force is set to receive significant funding over a three-year period.

The Home Office announced it was providing additional funds to 11 of the country’s police forces. Hertfordshire has the third largest Jewish population nationally, behind only London and Manchester.

In recent months, PCC Jonathan Ash-Edwards and Chief Constable Andy Prophet met Jewish residents and community leaders, visited synagogues, hosted reassurance meetings at police headquarters for guidance on where visible patrols and protective security activity should be placed.

Commissioner Ash-Edwards said: “This is significant funding for Hertfordshire and it is exactly the kind of practical support I have been calling for.

“Hertfordshire has a large and vibrant Jewish community and I know from speaking directly to residents, rabbis, school leaders and community organisations how deeply recent events have been felt. No one should have to look over their shoulder because of their faith. Antisemitism is a stain on society and it must never be tolerated in Hertfordshire or beyond. We can and must do more to defeat it.

“The Chief Constable and I have listened carefully to the Jewish community and action is being taken. That has included visits to synagogues, reassurance meetings with community leaders, increased patrols and ongoing work with police, the Community Security Trust and local partners.

“I have also made the case to government that Hertfordshire needs proper resources for this work. Our county cannot be treated as an afterthought when we have one of the largest Jewish communities outside London and when the impact of hate crime is being felt so strongly here.

“This funding will help Hertfordshire Constabulary put more capacity behind the work already under way to protect communities, deter offenders and give people confidence that the police are there for them.

“The message is clear. Hertfordshire stands with its Jewish community and we will do everything we can to keep people safe.”

The commissioner’s office says that detailed plans are being prepared to assess how best to use the money.