Security Awareness - High Holy Days 2010

The High Holy Days are the most important time in the Jewish calendar.

As in previous years, CST will be providing security in partnership with local Jewish communities and Police throughout the country. These operations are sadly necessary at this most important time of year and CST thanks our community in advance for its co-operation in these measures. 

Those undertaking security duties at synagogues should be especially alert for suspicious people and/or activity around their buildings, prior to, during and after services and other gatherings. Any suspicious people, activity and vehicles should be reported immediately to the Police on 999 and then CST. Further instructions are as follows:

Security Precautions – REMINDER

• Effective security focuses on observing outwards from the building – ‘spot the problem before the problem comes to you’
• External security patrols (outer circles of security) should be implemented and/or increased especially during arrival and departure
• Be alert for suspicious people and activities including parked cars and unattended bags / items
• Be aware of your surroundings when arriving and leaving communal buildings
• Search external, then internal areas before fully opening up your building and remember to keep all external doors secured when the building is in use
• Challenge and question all strangers and visitors to your building even when accompanied by someone you know. Vehicle access should also be restricted to known vehicles only
• Pay special attention to the security of those outside your location. If you spot a suspicious person, object, bag, package or vehicle, immediately instruct people to move away. Either disperse them or take them inside the building. Call police on 999 and then CST without delay
• Try to prevent staff and visitors from congregating outside your building especially upon arrival and departure. Encourage the community to disperse as quickly as possible
• All security volunteers must be briefed as to what their roles are, what to look for and how to act in an emergency. They should also be debriefed at the end of their shift
• A means of communication in an emergency MUST be available
• All buildings should have plans in-place for evacuation and “invacuation” (moving the community to a safer area inside the building, away from glass and behind solid walls)

CST staff will be more than happy to assist your community should you require advice and assistance throughout the year.

We wish all of our community a safe, secure and joyous High Holy Day period. For additional information, please contact CST.

For security advice and guidance, or to report an incident,
please contact CST on the following numbers:

London & Southern Regions    020 8457 9999
Emergency 24hr Pager    07659 101 668

Manchester & Northern Regions   0161 792 6666
Emergency 24hr Number    0800 980 0668

IN AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS CALL THE POLICE ON 999, THEN CALL CST

SECURITY NOTICE - 31st May 2010

CST wishes to confirm that communal bodies should ensure that existing security measures are fully understood and adhered to.

The action taken by Israel against ships traveling from Turkey to Gaza has led to angry reactions around the world, including here in Britain, where anti-Israel demonstrations have occurred in many places.

CST has no information relating to specific security threats against any specific targets at this time, but as on previous occasions, Hamas and Hizbollah appear to have called for international responses; and Internet chat rooms and other media show widespread and intense anger at what has occurred. There is, therefore, an obvious potential for an increase in antisemitic incidents, threats and attacks.

Experience has shown that circumstances such as these commonly lead to vandalism against buildings; threatening calls, letters and emails to communal organisations; and acts of intimidation and violence against individuals. The possibility of a more violent or terrorist reprisal attack cannot be ruled out, particularly as this controversy has a uniquely international dimension.

CST requests that you ensure CCTV is in full working order with clean lenses and working recording facilities. Where possible, physical security rotas and frequent security checks of premises should be implemented.

Offensive answerphone messages and emails should be saved and passed to Police and CST. Hate mail should be kept forensically clean and handled as little as possible, before being passed to Police or CST.

Staff should also be advised to use 1471 to check the origin of offensive phone calls, and details of callers and the content of calls should be kept for immediate forwarding to Police and CST.

Staff should be aware of the need to remain alert to suspicious behaviour concerning communal premises and events. Unexpected visitors should be asked the purpose of their visit and to provide proof of identification. If you are dissatisfied, then deny entry. Please report any such suspicious behaviour to CST as soon as possible.

In the event of an emergency, you should always first call Police on 999 and then CST.

CST's office for London and the South, 020 8457 9999. Emergency 24hr pager, 07659 101 668.

CST's office for Manchester and the North, 0161 792 6666. Emergency 24hr pager, 0800 980 0668.

CST will of course seek to answer any questions that you have regarding this security notice and can be contacted on the above numbers or via email at enquiries@thecst.org.uk.