Police forces in London and Manchester receive £5m boost to expand patrols around faith sites amid rising security concerns…reports London Daily News Desk
Police forces in London and Manchester are to receive an additional £5 million to increase patrols around places of worship, the Home Office has announced, as authorities respond to growing concerns over community safety.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said the funding would help ensure people feel protected in their daily lives, particularly when attending religious services. The move comes at a time of heightened anxiety among faith communities following a series of incidents targeting places of worship.
The latest funding follows an alleged arson attack in Golders Green, north-west London, where four Jewish community ambulances were set on fire last month. It also comes after a terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester in October, alongside increasing calls from community leaders and campaigners to address rising Islamophobia and other forms of hate crime.
The additional resources will be used to expand deployments under Project Servator, a policing initiative that uses specially trained officers to detect suspicious behaviour and prevent potential criminal or terrorist activity. The programme relies on a mix of uniformed and plain-clothed officers, with patrols deliberately varied in timing and location to create an unpredictable security presence.
Jarvis said Project Servator had already demonstrated its effectiveness in disrupting criminal activity and preventing attacks. “At a time of heightened concern for some communities, it is vital that we step up our support,” he said, adding that visible policing plays a key role in both deterring offenders and reassuring the public.
The new funding builds on an existing £73.4 million commitment for protective security at Jewish, Muslim and other faith sites across the UK for the 2026–27 period. Officials said the latest uplift would initially focus on neighbourhood policing in London and Manchester, with an emphasis on strengthening ties with local communities.
At Greater Manchester Police, Inspector Chris Hadfield welcomed the funding, saying it would enhance ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks and safeguard vulnerable groups. He noted that the expansion of Project Servator would allow officers to increase both visibility and intelligence-led operations.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police reiterated its commitment to tackling hate crime. Commander Andy Featherstone stressed that offences motivated by hatred or prejudice would not be tolerated, adding that all reports are treated with the utmost seriousness.
According to the Home Office, previous Project Servator operations have led to arrests and the seizure of drugs and weapons, underlining the initiative’s broader role in maintaining public safety.
Authorities say the funding boost reflects a wider effort to protect communities, reinforce trust in policing, and ensure that places of worship remain safe and secure spaces for all.
