Government cash aims to reinforce policing where concerns are greatest
Hertfordshire Constabulary is set to receive £9 million in additional Home Office funding over the next three years to strengthen protection for the county’s Jewish communities. The investment forms part of a national package for 11 police forces and follows months of heightened concern about antisemitic incidents across the country and in neighbouring north London.
The county’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Ash-Edwards, confirmed the award and said it will be directed at visible patrols, protective security and sustained engagement with residents, faith leaders and schools. Hertfordshire is home to the third largest Jewish population in the United Kingdom, behind London and Manchester.
Focus on visible reassurance and practical security
Work already under way locally has included visits to synagogues, meetings with community leaders and targeted patrols in locations identified through police engagement. The Commissioner and Chief Constable Andy Prophet have held reassurance sessions at police headquarters to gather direct feedback on where resources should be placed and what measures would give communities the greatest confidence.
“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.”
He added that the Constabulary is working with the Community Security Trust (CST) and local partners to deter offenders, protect people and ensure confidence in the police response. The Commissioner has consistently pressed ministers for recognition of the county’s specific needs, given its size and the impact that hate crime has had on residents.
What the funding supports
Police have indicated the extra capacity will be used to build on measures already deployed, including:
- Increasing high-visibility patrols in areas where communities say reassurance is most needed.
- Strengthening protective security around places of worship, community venues and schools.
- Maintaining regular engagement forums with residents, faith leaders and partners to shape deployment.
- Close operational links with the CST to share information and coordinate safety planning.
Local policing teams have been tasked with converting these priorities into street-level activity, supported by specialist advice. The emphasis is on deterring offences, responding quickly to reports and making it easier for people to speak to officers about concerns.
National context, local implications
The Home Office package directs additional resources to eleven forces with significant responsibilities for protecting Jewish communities. Hertfordshire’s inclusion reflects both the size of its Jewish population and the proximity of hotspots in the capital. Local leaders argue the funding should help sustain visible policing and security improvements across the period, rather than short-term surges.
| Key element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total funding | £9 million |
| Duration | Three years |
| National scope | 11 forces receiving support |
| Local context | Hertfordshire has the third largest Jewish population in the UK |
Reporting and reassurance
Police are urging anyone who experiences or witnesses antisemitic incidents to report them. Officers say information from communities helps them to target patrols and take action against offenders. Alongside policing, partners such as the CST continue to provide specialist advice on personal and site security.
For residents, the message is that additional resources are being channelled where concerns are most acute. The Constabulary’s approach relies on day-to-day conversations with congregations, parents and community organisers to ensure changes on the ground reflect what people say they need. This latest funding is intended to give the force the ability to keep that work going at pace and with consistency.
Commissioner’s pledge
In welcoming the announcement, the Commissioner underlined that Hertfordshire should not be overlooked in national allocations, given the scale of local need and the lived experience of those affected by hate crime. He said the additional support will help the force to protect communities, deter offenders and provide the reassurance people expect to see.
“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.”
As the funding is phased in, communities can expect continued collaboration between police, synagogues, schools and voluntary organisations, with an emphasis on practical steps that improve safety and confidence day by day.
