Middle East conflict: Information for local communities
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We know that for many local residents, family and communities ties to the Middle East mean that events feel much closer to home and can cause concern.
Barnet Council continues to work closely with the police and community and faith organisations to ensure our residents feel supported and safe.
We also continue to prioritise engagement with Jewish and Muslim communities, including through roundtable meetings and other opportunities for faith, community and school leaders to tell us and the police what support they need to help them feel safer.
Hate crimes and how to report them
Barnet’s Safer Communities Partnership Board has zero tolerance for hate crime, and access to justice for those affected is a key priority. Anyone who experiences or witnesses a hate crime should report it to the police: Alternatively, contact one of the independent hate crime reporting centres in Barnet.
If you prefer not to use the other suggested methods, you can visit one of the 11 Hate Crime reporting centres, where you can get help to report a Hate Crime.
There are also national organisations you can report hate crime to. These include:
- True Vision, run by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, this allows you to report hate crime online
- The Community Security Trust, a national charity to report antisemitic hate crime
- Shomrim, the Neighbourhood Watch group which patrols in areas including Golders Green, Childs Hill, Hendon, Finchley and Temple Fortune
- Tell MAMA, an independent non-government organisation to report anti Muslim hate or Islamophobia
iREPORTit App
With the iREPORTit website and app anyone can now quickly, securely, and anonymously report material to the police, and help in the fight against online extremism.
Raven Science iREPORTit website
Faith Security Training: Face-to-face sessions
The Home Office has launched the Faith Security Training project, new security awareness training for faith communities. This scheme has been developed in consultation with other government departments and experts from security and policing partners, and it will be a free learning resource for faith communities, with the aim of raising awareness of security risks and how to respond to them.
The Home Office is piloting face to face delivery sessions, and is encouraging members of faith communities, particularly people in positions of leadership or responsibility for security at places of worship, to attend and provide feedback on the content and delivery.
The Faith Security Training course is designed to equip participants with essential skills to enhance the security and safety in their places of worship. Participating in the pilot will give participants the chance to contribute their expertise and materially shape the project, ensuring it is as effective as it can be at helping keep communities safe when the project is rolled out more widely.
People interested in attending one of the pilot sessions will need to complete the expression of interest form here. If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone directly, please contact 03301 75 69 62 or email FaithSecurityBooking@cdsds.uk
Support humanitarian efforts
In response to the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, The Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal to support the people affected.
If you are concerned about a British national in the Middle East, you can call the FCDO in London on 020 7008 5000 and find more advice on GOV.UK.
Social media awareness
Following advice from the police, we urge caution when sharing news and updates on social media and messaging apps. Make sure any information comes from a reliable source, such as the Government, Police, Community Security Trust or Tell MAMA.
For the latest trusted updates on social media, follow @metpoliceuk, @CST_UK or @TellMamaUK.
Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism
You can report illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos you’ve found on the internet, such as:
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articles, images, speeches or videos that promote terrorism or encourage violence
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websites made by terrorist or extremist organisations
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videos of terrorist attacks
You can make a report using the Public Referral Tool. You can make your report without leaving your name and contact details
Stay updated
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