The Home Office has awarded £14 million to the Community Security Trust (CST) to bolster protection of the Jewish community and its institutions.

The grant, which covers this financial year, is “to help keep members of the Jewish community safe in their daily lives” and will go towards protecting institutions such as school and synagogues, the Home Office announced on Wednesday.

While funding began on April 1, most Jewish institutions remain closed because of the government’s coronavirus restrictions and orders from community leaders.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Antisemitic incidents are not just an attack on the Jewish community, but on everyone who believes in a free and open society.

“This funding will help Jewish people practice their religion and way of life without fear of attack or persecution,” she continued.

“I’m pushing for greater integration across government, police and community groups to tackle antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head.”

The grant was introduced in 2015 and has been renewed yearly following security assessments by the Home Office.

David Delew, the CST’s Chief Executive, said: “The British Jewish community is deeply grateful for the renewal of Home Office funding for security guards at Jewish schools and other communal premises facing the continuing threat of terrorism.”

“The CST will continue managing this grand, which alleviates a serious financial burden from Jewish communities across the country,” he added.

The CST is a charity that was founded in 1994 to ensure the security of the British Jewish community. It works in close collaboration with local police forces in Jewish areas and produces reports and monitoring of antisemitism across the country.

According to the CST, 2019 saw 1,805 antisemitic incidents in the UK, an increase of 7 per cent on 2018.