Extra funding is urgently needed to protect UK synagogues following the Texas synagogue siege, the Community Security Trust (CST) has said.

Director of policy Dave Rich said providing security at shuls, schools and other buildings had become increasingly expensive.

The ongoing construction of new community buildings is putting further pressure on resources, he added.

At present, the Home Office provides an annual £14m towards the cost of employing 600 security guards through 50 different companies at 400 buildings. Since 2006, the CST has contributed £15m to pay for security infrastructure including intruder alarms, fencing, gates and CCTV.

But while the Home Office grant was “much appreciated”, Mr Rich said more money was needed.

He said: “As costs increase and more buildings are created, which is wonderful, we need to spend more in order to achieve the high levels of security that we are lucky enough to have in this country. I have no wish to sound ungrateful. It is just a fact.”

Mr Rich said there were currently no plans to review security arrangements at British synagogues and schools in the light of the Texas siege.

“We are reminding everyone to continue to be vigilant and follow the guidelines that are already in place.”