CST hosts Police seminar to educate officers about Judaism, antisemitism and the community

CST hosted a well-received annual awareness event for Police officers yesterday at the Jewish Museum in Camden. There were around 100 attendees from all ranks and departments within the Police including PCSOs, Community Safety Officers and Crime Prevention Officers, as well as staff from Public Protection Support and Counter-Terrorism Units. Police personnel attended from across London and the southern regions, including Kent, Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, City of London and Metropolitan Police.

CST staff opened the event with a summary of CST’s work from its instigation in the 1940s to its current day operations. A short film about CST and its projects was then shown. Additionally, one of CST’s Senior Research Analysts presented in detail on the threat level that the Jewish community faces, particularly highlighting threats from Jihadist and Hizbollah forces, as well as those that emanate from far-right extremism and terrorism.

CST was also delighted to host Rabbi Alex Chapper of Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue who gave a presentation on the UK Jewish community, giving insights into Jewish life and practice. Topics included Shabbat and Jewish festivals, Kashrut, different strands of Judaism and a short history of British Jewry. The presentations were followed by a question and answer session where questions were asked about equipment carried by CST volunteers and about what more Police officers as individuals can do to help CST.

CST would like to thank the Police officers and others who attended, as well as the Jewish Museum for partnering with us and hosting another successful event.