Hackney leader wary over police effort to engage

V A STAMFORD Hill community leader has warned that it will take more than a “PR exercise” from the police to build better relations.

The Met is launching Behind the Badge to “break down barriers” with the Jewish community and encourage the recruitment of Jewish police officers.

It acknowledged that there had been instances where relations between the force and members of “communities across London have been somewhat strained” and it wanted to improve matters.

Rabbi Herschel Gluck, president of the Shomrim community patrol in Stamford Hill, agreed that the relationship with law enforcement “should be a lot better than it is.

“But what would be better than a PR exercise from the Met would be for them to show they are a community service and change the situation on the ground.” He was more concerned about a “rise in attacks against Jewish women and girls” in Stamford Hill, claiming that the arrest record had been “appalling” in such cases.

A Met spokesperson said Behind the Badge was “aimed at breaking down barriers, humanising policing and police officers whilst listening to and continuing to connect with our communities.

“It’s hoped it will build trust, confidence and legitimacy in the Met by educating the public around the diversity of roles that exist.

“We also hope it will drive and encourage recruitment from diverse communities and give us an opportunity to talk about valuable partnership work.”

The Met was eager to “highlight the diversity of our workforce and encourage others from similar backgrounds to consider policing as a career option”.

However, Rabbi Gluck contended that currently, “people in Hackney feel the police are not active.

“They will not look at getting to know them better, let alone join them, until they fix that.”

People in Hackney feel that the police are not active’