London police set up specialist Jewish protection team

British police forces are planning to form a task force comprising 100 police officers including counter-terrorism specialists to assist in safeguarding Jewish communities within London amid a surge of anti-Semitic attacks, which included stabbings of two men.

Wednesday's announcement to create a new task force to safeguard Jewish communities came amid further arrest in connection with hate crimes against Jews as police arrested a 35-year-old suspect accused of throwing stones at an ambulance operated by the Jewish community.

Mark Rowley, head of police for London, stated that Jews in the UK are increasingly subjected to sustained threats emanating from hostile state actors as well as radical right-wing and extremist left-wing elements.

The investigation into the cases of arson includes checking for any connection with Iranian operatives, following warnings issued by the British government regarding the use of criminal elements by Iran in conducting activities.

A number of cases of arson have been reported since mid-March with four Jewish ambulances and synagogues attacked in those incidents.

Two Jewish men have recently also been stabbed but they survived the ordeal.

Within the last four weeks, authorities made about 50 arrests and prosecuted eight suspects over hate crimes and anti-Semitic activities. Besides these,