THAMES VALLEY, UNITED KINGDOM | Thames Valley Police have launched a dedicated security operation to protect Jewish communities during the High Holy Days, deploying armed and unarmed officers, specialist units and increased patrols around synagogues across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
The operation will cover Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah and is being conducted alongside the Community Security Trust, the British charity that monitors antisemitism and provides security support to the Jewish community.
Police announced the measures Sept. 7, saying Jewish communities may be particularly concerned about their safety following deadly attacks on Jewish gatherings and a broader international rise in antisemitism.
No specific imminent threat or plot was identified in the announcement.
Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt, who is leading the operation, said police recognize the concerns facing Jewish residents as the holidays approach.
“We recognise our Jewish communities will be concerned for their safety ahead of the High Holy Days following recent attacks and the general rise in antisemitism,” Bunt said.
“We have a dedicated operation to protect our Jewish communities, alongside the Community Security Trust, throughout the period, so people can expect to see an increased police presence near synagogues and in local areas during this period.”
Armed And Unarmed Officers To Patrol Jewish Areas
Thames Valley Police said the increased security presence will include high-visibility neighborhood patrols, armed officers, specialist police units and Project Servator deployments.
Project Servator uses specially trained officers to identify signs that an individual may be planning or preparing criminal activity, including terrorism.
Deployments can include uniformed and plain-clothes officers, armed police, dog units and other specialist resources. The operations are deliberately unpredictable and can occur without advance notice.
Police stress that the appearance of Project Servator officers in an area does not itself indicate that authorities have intelligence about a specific threat.
Some of the High Holy Day security measures will be highly visible. Others will not.
“There will be armed and unarmed officers on patrol, support from specialist units, and engagement staff speaking with our communities, alongside our partners, as well as security measures people will not see,” Bunt said.
Police said the operation will be intelligence-led and focused on deterring criminal activity, protecting places of worship and community sites, engaging directly with Jewish residents and ensuring officers can respond rapidly if an incident occurs.
Police Cite Rise In International Antisemitism
Thames Valley Police specifically linked the heightened security environment to the rise in antisemitism since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The force also referred to deadly attacks targeting Jewish gatherings last year, including the Yom Kippur attack at a synagogue in Manchester and the attack on a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia.
Those attacks have contributed to security concerns surrounding Jewish institutions and major religious gatherings well beyond the communities directly affected.
For synagogues, the High Holy Days create particular security considerations because services can draw substantially larger congregations than during an ordinary week.
Rosh Hashanah begins the period covered by the Thames Valley operation, followed by Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah.
Home Office funding through the Protecting Jewish Communities Fund supports the increased protection.
Police Working With Community Security Trust
The Community Security Trust will work alongside Thames Valley Police during the operation.
CST provides security advice and support to Jewish institutions across Britain and works closely with police and government agencies on threats affecting Jewish communities.
The organization also records reported antisemitic incidents throughout the United Kingdom.
The partnership means police resources will operate alongside an organization with direct relationships with synagogues, Jewish schools and other community institutions.
Police said community engagement will form an important part of the operation, with officers and engagement staff speaking directly with residents during the holiday period.
Preventive Operation, Not Response To Specific Plot
While the scale and visibility of the operation may be noticeable to residents, Thames Valley Police have not announced a specific threat against a synagogue or Jewish institution in the region.
The deployment is preventive.
Project Servator itself is designed around that principle. Officers are trained to identify potentially suspicious behavior and disrupt criminal activity before it develops, while also providing a visible police presence.
The strategy relies partly on cooperation with members of the public, businesses and security personnel.
Thames Valley Police are asking residents to report suspicious or criminal activity and to speak with officers if they have concerns.
In an emergency, residents are advised to call 999. Residents can report non-emergency matters through 101 or directly to Thames Valley Police.
The Community Security Trust also operates a national emergency number for incidents affecting the Jewish community.
For Jewish residents attending synagogues across the Thames Valley during the coming weeks, the practical result will be a more visible police presence at a time when many communities are increasingly conscious of security.
Police say the objective is straightforward: protect Jewish communities, deter potential offenders and ensure that people can observe the High Holy Days safely.
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