Dedicated patrols continue to provide reassurance to the Jewish community

Dedicated patrols continue to provide reassurance to the Jewish community

Dear Resident

Please find the following update following recent events which we're aware may have caused heightened concerns in the Jewish community. 

We continue to provide an increased police presence including dedicated patrols in key areas across the force over the Jewish High Holy Days.

As we approach Sukkot, which begins at sunset on Friday (25 September), we will be carrying out patrols at key Jewish locations in Birmingham and Solihull. 

These patrols will continue up until Simchat Torah which ends on 4 October. 

Local officers will be providing continued visibility and security by patrolling streets on foot and engaging with members of the public.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Andy Parsons said: “We understand that the Jewish community will be concerned following events over recent days, especially during this important time. 

“We do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this, but we would ask people as always to remain vigilant and contact us with any concerns. 

“We recognise and understand this concern, and I want to make it absolutely clear that our work to provide as much visibility and security as we can through additional activity remains very much ongoing.

“We will keep communities safe, deter intimidation, and enforce the law.

"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.

Mr Parsons continued: “Our intention and commitment is to ensure a safe place for everyone to live, work and visit the West Midlands. We will keep communities safe, deter intimidation, and enforce the law.

"We have a dedicated operation to protect local Jewish communities throughout the holy period so people can expect to see an increased police presence near synagogues and the local areas during this time.

“We ask people to remain vigilant and report anything to us that doesn’t seem right.”

Anyone who witnesses suspicious or criminal activity should report it by calling 999. You may then wish to call the CST national emergency number 0800 032 3263.

You can also speak to a police officer, visit a police station, ring 101 or use our website to contact us about anything that is not urgent.