ByRobyn Rosen, Robyn Rosen
The Community Security Trust has been awarded more than £50,000 by the Home Office to back the fight against antisemitism.
CST is one of 10 organisations working on behalf of hate crime victims to receive government support.
It will spend the £54,354 on specialist training for staff and volunteers who deal directly with hate crime victims — and to increase awareness of the importance of reporting hate crimes to the police and the CST.
This includes posters at nine bus stops in Golders Green, Temple Fortune and Hendon over the next six weeks encouraging locals to report antisemitic incidents during the festivals.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: “Hate crime ruins people’s lives and the government is determined to tackle it in all its forms. People should be free to express their identities without fear of harassment simply because of who they are.”
A CST spokesman expressed gratitude for the funding, which “will help us to deliver the best possible service for those who are unfortunate enough to encounter racist hatred.
“It is especially encouraging to see practical government support and commitment for our efforts against the damage being caused by the escalation in antisemitism of recent years.”
From January to June 2009, CST received 609 reports of antisemitic incidents, higher than the number previously recorded in any entire year.