Officers have been working hard to prevent anti-semitic hate crime in Hertsmere, according to the police.

The borough’s Chief Inspector Steve O’Keeffe says his police officers have been working very closely with the Community Security Trust (CST) to ensure people living in the borough are assured whilst also making sure Jewish schools as well as synagogues are being patrolled daily.

Hertsmere has one of the largest Jewish populations of anywhere in the whole of the UK, particularly in Radlett and Borehamwood.

Enhanced patrols will be taking place this month as Jews mark the New Year, Rosh Hashanah, as well as Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

The Community Security Trust is a charity which works to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish community across the country.

Chief Insp O’Keeffe said there is “no specific threat in Hertsmere against Jewish people and there were only 13 incidents reported during 2017”.

He said: “We introduced these joint uniformed patrols working closely with the CST to prevent antisemitic hate crime and hate incidents. It is important that we respond to community concerns by providing regular, dedicated patrols at key locations, we hope to prevent antisemitism from occurring and reduce concerns about potential terrorist activity.

“The initiative has been running since May 2017, so it is now embedded into daily routine police patrols.”

David S Delew, CST chief executive, added: “The ongoing joint police and CST patrols in Hertsmere are an excellent example of how we are working together to protect our Jewish community.”