Thames Valley Police announced plans to substantially boost security for Jewish communities in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire during the upcoming High Holy Days. The enhanced measures, set to begin with Rosh Hashanah on Friday, will continue through Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah as part of a specialized operation named Op Tishrei.
The initiative will feature increased visibility of police patrols near synagogues and in surrounding neighborhoods. Both armed and unarmed officers will be deployed, supported by Project Servator teams—specialist units trained in disruptive tactics—and other dedicated resources. Authorities emphasized that some security efforts will be discrete and not immediately visible to the public.
Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt, leading the operation, highlighted the importance of addressing concerns within local Jewish communities about their safety during this period. “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 the local areas during this period,” he said.
The heightened security response follows a global rise in antisemitic incidents linked to the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, 2023. Officials pointed to several recent violent episodes targeting Jewish places of worship, including last year’s synagogue shooting in Manchester on Yom Kippur and an attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, Australia.
The operation is intelligence-led and aims to deter potential threats while ensuring rapid police response to any incidents. It is funded through the UK Home Office’s Protecting Jewish Communities Fund and coordinated closely with the Community Security Trust (CST), an organization that works to support and protect Britain’s Jewish population.
A spokesperson for the CST underscored the extensive preparations made nationwide to secure Jewish communal events during the holidays. “There has been a huge amount of preparation ahead of the High Holy Days, with CST working closely with police forces up and down the country to ensure that the strongest possible security measures are in place. Our priority is for the community to be able to come together safely and celebrate the High Holy Days,” the spokesperson said.
The combined effort by law enforcement and community groups reflects an ongoing commitment to safeguarding religious observances amid rising security concerns internationally.