UK police increase patrols following rise in antisemitic attacks in London

London's Metropolitan Police has established a special team of 100 officers to protect Jewish communities following a surge in antisemitic incidents since late March. Attacks have included knife assaults, such as the April 29 incident in Golders Green, and a series of arsons targeting synagogues and Jewish community ambulances. A 45-year-old suspect of Somali origin was charged for the stabbing, while 50 people have been arrested for antisemitic hate crimes over the past four weeks, with eight individuals charged so far. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley cited threats from hostile state actors, extremist organizations, and Islamist terrorists as factors for the increased security measures. Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened a meeting at Downing Street with community representatives to address the rising crisis of antisemitism. Authorities are currently investigating whether recent arson incidents, including an attack on a former synagogue in Tower Hamlets, have links to Iranian state activities. The UK has subsequently raised its threat level to account for these ongoing dangers to the Jewish population.