Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government has taken to protect synagogues from terrorist attacks.

The government recognises the concerns of the Jewish community in relation to the threat from terrorism, particularly given the attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in May this year and the recent attack at a synagogue in
Jerusalem. The threat level from international terrorism to the UK has been raised to SEVERE. This is related to the developments in Syria and Iraq where groups are planning an attack in the UK, rather than threats to specific
communities.

Key community contacts have been briefed by senior police leaders, neighbourhood policing teams and local Counter Terrorism Focus Desk officers, who are seeking to reassure communities that may feel vulnerable.
Specialist protective security advice has also been provided to faith-based locations of worship, including Synagogues, and reassurance has been given to those at other sites who may feel vulnerable.

The Police are working in partnership with the Community Security Trust (CST) and other community members to coordinate security arrangements around synagogues and other vulnerable locations.