Jewish patrol cars out in force in London amid fears of copycat attack in wake of Paris kosher store siege

Jewish security patrol cars which look strikingly similar in appearance to police cars bearing the name “Shomrim” were out in large numbers in London on Monday.

The Jewish Orthodox organisation tweeted ‘Following events in Paris we will have on extra patrols throughout NW London over Shabbos [ the Jewish sabbath].’

The volunteer security force receive police training and uniforms and wear protective body gear which includes knife-proof vests. They were protecting areas with large numbers of Jewish residents in North-West London amid fears of copycat Paris attacks.

The Daily Mail reports:

Based in North West London, and with a sister organisation in North East London, the volunteers are trained by the Metropolitan Police and patrol the area regularly looking for anti-Semitic hate crimes, and general disorder in the neighbourhood.

The volunteer group, similar to a Neighbourhood Watch, are trained to safely track and detain suspects until police arrive, and run a 24-hour hotline for those in the area to report attacks.

Read More: Jewish patrol cars out in force in London amid fears of copycat attack in wake of Paris kosher store siege