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More specialist police patrols for vulnerable communities after high-profile attacks

Extra specialist police officers will be deployed to protect vulnerable communities across the UK in the wake of recent high-profile attacks on Muslim and Jewish communities.

An additional £5m in funding is being allocated to Project Servator, a nationwide scheme aimed at protecting communities through "highly visible" and "unpredictable" police deployments, the Home Office said.

The specialist officers are trained to spot suspicious activity and identify individuals who are preparing to commit serious crimes, including acts of terrorism.

Safety concerns have increased among some groups nationwide as both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate crimes have reached record highs.

The funding uplift, which builds on £73.4m already committed for protective security at Jewish, Muslim and other faith sites for 2026-27, follows an alleged arson attack in Golders Green, northwest London, last month, and a terrorist attack at Heaton Park synagogue in Greater Manchester last year.

Communities in London and Manchester will benefit first from the scheme, with a likely rise in patrols by the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police.

Security minister Dan Jarvis said the project "has a proven track record of stopping criminals and terrorists through highly visible, unpredictable deployments that vary in time and location, deterring those planning harm and reassuring the public".

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Greater Manchester Police Inspector Chris Hadfield, tactical lead for Project Servator, said the force's patrols are highly visible, "but deployments are unpredictable, and can happen at any time, in any given location".

That includes deploying teams to local faith communities, cultural events and holy days.

The government has already provided £73.4m in funding for protective security at Jewish, Muslim, and other faith sites, the Home Office said in a statement.

Sky News

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