Romford Synagogue increases security after Paris terrorist attacks

Following the Met’s announcement of “heightened concern” for the Jewish community, Romford and District Synagogue has been working with the police to provide extra precautions.

Following the Paris attacks, Mark Rowley, national policing lead for counter terrorism and assistant commissioner, said “continuing anti-Semitic rhetoric from extremists” and the attacks on the community in France have led to the increase in security measures in the UK.

“The global picture of terrorist activity does give us heightened concern about the risk to the Jewish community,” he explained. “In addition to our existing security measures, we are in dialogue with Jewish Community leaders about further actions that we will be taking, including more patrols in key areas.

Jack Rose, of the Romford and District Synagogue in Eastern Road, Romford, said: “We all take measures, we are very secure and in co-operation with the police and other organisations.

“We are asking people to keep an eye out. Not just at the synagogue but our Muslim friends as well. The people causing these problems couldn’t care less what you are, you could be a little blue man from Mars.”

Referring to the bomb scare in Romford town centre on Friday, he added: “Somebody lost their sandwich.”