The Community Safety Trust (CST), a body that offers security and community safety advice to Jewish communities in the UK reports a rise in incidents reported to it, in the first half of 2014.
In July the CST issued an advisory notice to all UK Jewish communal venues, stating that security procedures should be rigorously followed.
Every month of the January–June period returned an incident total that was higher than for the same month in 2013. The highest monthly total was 62 antisemitic incidents recorded in June 2014, and the lowest was 39 in March. The increase was also felt across the UK, with rises recorded in London, Manchester, Hertfordshire and Leeds. Outside Greater London and Greater Manchester, CST recorded 64 antisemitic incidents from 33 locations around the UK in the first six months of 2014, compared to 46 incidents from 29 places in the first half of 2013. The 64 antisemitic incidents recorded around the UK included ten in Leeds, eight in Hertfordshire, seven in Liverpool and four in Bradford.
For the report in full visit the CST website.
Report at – http://www.thecst.org.uk/docs/Incidents%20Report%20Jan%20-%20June%202014.pdf.
Besides the 304 antisemitic incidents recorded in the first half of 2014 by CST, a further 152 potential incidents were reported, but, on investigation, appeared not to show evidence of antisemitic motivation or targeting. There was an increase in the number of incidents taking place on social media that was reported to CST.
CST classifies as an antisemitic incident any malicious act aimed at Jewish people, organisations or property, where there is evidence that the victim or victims were targeted because they are (or are believed to be) Jewish. Incidents can take several forms, including physical attacks on people or property, verbal or written abuse, or antisemitic leaflets and posters.
