View source for Community Security Trust

{{Short description|British charity}}

{{Antisemitism}}
The '''Community Security Trust''' ('''CST''') is a British charity whose stated mission is to provide safety, security, and advice to the Jewish community in the UK. It provides advice, training, representation and research.

==Founding and mission==
The Community Security Trust grew out of the Community Security Organisation, which became independent of the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]] in 1986.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/the-story-of-the-cst-jewish-community-protection-in-the-uk/|title=The story of the CST: Jewish community protection in the UK|date=7 April 2015|accessdate=6 February 2021|work=Jewish News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thejc.com/comment/columnists/our-unrepresentative-security-1.68486?highlight=CST|title=Our unrepresentative security|last=Alderman|first=Geoffrey|date=18 April 2011|accessdate=6 February 2021|work=Jewish Chronicle}}</ref> It was registered as a charity in 1994 and has a mission to provide safety, security, and advice to the Jewish community in the UK.<ref>{{EW charity|1042391|Community Security Trust}}</ref><ref name=":03">{{Cite news|date=2020-02-06|title=Anti-Semitic abuse at record high, says charity|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51387844|access-date=2021-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=As social networks clamp down, antisemitism moves to the darknet|url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/as-social-networks-clamp-down-antisemitism-moves-to-the-darknet-656689|access-date=2021-02-04|website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bulkacz|first=Vanessa|date=2006-07-13|title=U.K. Jews stress security year after bombings|url=http://jstandard.com/articles/1313/1/U.K.-Jews-stress-security-year-after-bombings|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061101164649/http://jstandard.com/articles/1313/1/U.K.-Jews-stress-security-year-after-bombings|archive-date=2006-11-01|access-date=|website=[[Jewish Standard]]}}</ref><ref name=":42"/><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Memorandum from the Board of Deputies of British Jews |website=House of Commons - Select Committee on Foreign Affairs |date=2003 |url= https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmfaff/405/405we13.htm}}</ref>  The CST's mission statement says, "To work at all times for the physical protection of British Jews."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Even during the coronavirus pandemic, Jews are ever the scapegoat|url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/even-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-jews-are-ever-the-scapegoat-627982|access-date=2021-02-04|website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com|language=en-US}}</ref> The CST began recording antisemitic incidents in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Laura Smith-Spark|date=2018-08-17|title=Anti-Semitism is so bad in Britain that some Jews are planning to leave|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/17/uk/uk-anti-semitism-intl/index.html|access-date=2021-02-04|website=CNN Digital|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Home Secretary's speech to the Community Security Trust|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretarys-speech-to-the-community-security-trust|access-date=2021-02-04|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-02-05|title=UK anti-Semitism hit record level in 2014, report says|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31140919|access-date=2021-02-04}}</ref>

==Structure==
The group's founding chairman is the British businessman [[Gerald Ronson]], and its deputy chairman is [[Lloyd Dorfman]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ronson|first=Gerald M|date=|title=CST represents all Jews|url=https://www.thejc.com/comment/opinion/cst-represents-all-jews-1.68589|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130175422/https://www.thejc.com/comment/opinion/cst-represents-all-jews-1.68589 |archive-date=2020-11-30 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=CST Annual Dinner 2016 – Blog – CST – Protecting Our Jewish Community|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2016/03/03/cst-annual-dinner-2016|access-date=2016-07-23|website=cst.org.uk}}</ref> The chief executive of the CST is Mark Gardner, who was previously the Director of Communications.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harpin|first=Lee|date=|title=Mark Gardner is new chief executive of the Community Security Trust|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/mark-gardner-is-new-community-security-trust-chief-executive-1.500701|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808072654/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/mark-gardner-is-new-community-security-trust-chief-executive-1.500701 |archive-date=2020-08-08 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}</ref> [[Dave Rich]] is the Director of Policy at CST.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CST's Leadership – CST – Protecting Our Jewish Community|url=https://cst.org.uk/about-cst/csts-leadership|access-date=2021-02-04|website=cst.org.uk}}</ref>

The CST has four offices,<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Enquiries – CST – Protecting Our Jewish Community|url=https://cst.org.uk/contact/general-enquiries|access-date=2021-02-04|website=cst.org.uk}}</ref> over 90 employees and a network of several thousand volunteers from all parts of the Jewish community, who work closely with the police, including for joint patrols, advisory, and training.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web|title=About CST|url=https://cst.org.uk/about-cst|access-date=2021-02-04|website=CST}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Police Partnership|url=https://cst.org.uk/about-cst/police-partnership|access-date=2021-02-04|website=CST}}</ref><ref name=":52">{{Cite web|title=CST|url=https://www.inach.net/cst/|website=INACH|access-date=2021-02-04|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Activities==
{{See also|Antisemitism in the United Kingdom}}
The CST provides security advice and training for Jewish schools, synagogues and communal organisations and gives assistance to those bodies that are affected by [[antisemitism]]. The CST also assists and supports individual members of the Jewish community who have been affected by antisemitism and antisemitic incidents. It advises and represents the Jewish community on matters of antisemitism, terrorism and security and works with police, government and international bodies. All this work is provided at no charge.<ref name=":52"/>

In 2012, the CST provided the model for a new [[Islamophobia|anti-Islamophobia]] project, [[Tell MAMA]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tellmamauk.org|title=TELL MAMA - Countering Anti-Muslim Hate & Islamophobia, Bigotry & Prejudice. Founded by Fiyaz Mughal|website=TELL MAMA}}</ref> (run by interfaith organisation Faith Matters),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Speech Given by the Director of Faith Matters & the TELL MAMA Campaign at the TELL MAMA Fundraising Dinner |author=The Director |work=Faith Matters |date=27 January 2013 |url= https://www.faith-matters.org/speech-given-by-the-director-of-faith-matters-a-the-tell-mama-campaign-at-the-tell-mama-fundraising-dinner/}}</ref> with which it now works closely.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clegg|first=Nick|title=Deputy Prime Minister extends funding to tackle hate crime against Muslims|url=http://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/deputy-prime-minister-extends-funding-tackle-hate-crime-against-muslims|publisher=Office of the Deputy Prime Minister|access-date=12 November 2012}}</ref>

===Research===
The CST has recorded antisemitic incidents in the UK since 1984 and publishes an annual Antisemitic Incidents Report. The CST also published ''Terrorist Incidents against Jewish Communities and Israeli Citizens Abroad 1968-2010'', a definitive report of terrorist attacks against Jewish communities around the world.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Terrorist Incidents Against Jewish Communities and Israeli Citizens Abroad, 1968-2010 – Blog|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2011/07/27/terrorist-incidents-against-jewish-communities-and-israeli-citizens-abroad-1968-2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811030653/https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2011/07/27/terrorist-incidents-against-jewish-communities-and-israeli-citizens-abroad-1968-2010 |archive-date=2020-08-11 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=cst.org.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2003, the charity worked with the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]] to submit a report concerning [[Iran]] and antisemitism to the [[Foreign Affairs Select Committee]].<ref name=":13"/>

In 2020, the charity released a report on rising antisemitic incidents in universities named ''Campus Antisemitism in Britain 2018–2020''. It provided advice to universities on how to respond to reports of antisemitism. The report was debated in the [[House of Lords]] in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Coleman|first=Charley|date=2021-01-15|title=Antisemitic incidents in universities: Community Security Trust report|url=https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/antisemitic-incidents-in-universities-community-security-trust-report/|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Harpin|first=Lee|date=|title=Fury as Tonge blames rising UK campus antisemitism on 'the illegal actions of the Israeli government'|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/fury-as-tonge-blames-rising-uk-campus-antisemitism-on-the-illegal-actions-of-the-israeli-government-1.511061|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122111827/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/fury-as-tonge-blames-rising-uk-campus-antisemitism-on-the-illegal-actions-of-the-israeli-government-1.511061 |archive-date=2021-01-22 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}</ref>

In 2023, the CST recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the United Kingdom, the highest ever reported in a calendar year, and an increase of 147% compared to 2022. The figures spiked after the [[2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel]].<ref name="24funding">{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Ben |title=PM announces £72 million to fund security for Jewish communities |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/community-security-trust-jewish-rishi-sunak-hamas-british-b2504331.html |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=2024-02-29}}</ref> In the first half of 2024, 1.978 antisemitic incidents were reported: this number represents a slight reduction from the October 2023 spike but nevertheless remains a significantly high figure.<ref>CST Report Released, in ''JLife Leeds'' magazine, October/November 2024, p. 6</ref>

=== Online abuse ===
The CST has been active in monitoring and attempting to combat extremist activity online.

In 2019, the CST recorded 1,805 incidents of antisemitic abuse, 697 of which were online.<ref name=":03"/> The group considered it likely that [[Gaza–Israel conflict|Gaza-Israel tensions]] and [[Antisemitism in the UK Labour Party|turmoil within the UK's Labour Party]] contributed in part to an increase in such incidents.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Laura Smith-Spark|date=2019-02-07|title=Reported anti-Semitic incidents hit record high in UK -- charity|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/06/uk/uk-antisemitic-incidents-rise-gbr-intl/index.html|access-date=2021-02-06|website=CNN Digital|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-25|title=Politics to blame for number of antisemitic incidents, says watchdog|url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jul/26/politics-fuelling-high-number-of-antisemitic-incidents-in-uk-says-watchdog|access-date=2021-02-06|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the CST reported in 2020 that it had recorded a drop in physical assaults on Jewish people in the UK, but had noted an increase in online abuse, including [[Antisemitic canard|antisemitic conspiracy theories]] accusing Jewish people of [[COVID-19 misinformation|engineering the pandemic as a "hoax"]] or spreading COVID-19, among other antisemitic content.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Amy Woodyatt|title=Coronavirus lockdowns fuel an 'explosion' of anti-Semitism online|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/uk/online-anti-semitism-intl-scli-gbr/index.html|access-date=2021-02-04|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-06|title=Covid fuels highest rate of online antisemitism ever recorded|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/covid-antisemitism-jewish-hate-crime-b1766987.html|access-date=2021-02-04|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Tominey|first=Camilla|date=2020-10-21|title=Antivaxxers spreading anti-semitic conspiracy theories about coronavirus, Government report finds|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/21/antivaxxers-spreading-anti-semitic-conspiracy-theories-coronavirus/|access-date=2021-02-04|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The charity had also said that it noticed far-right commentators online discussing spreading COVID-19 to synagogues.<ref name=":2" />

The CST has released reports detailing content it considers harmful on certain [[alt-tech]] platforms such as [[Parler]], [[BitChute]], and [[Gab (social network)|Gab]]. The CST stated that the website BitChute was hosting videos from [[National Action (UK)|National Action]], a [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] terrorist group in the UK.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Fiona|title='Free speech' sites harbour neo-Nazis|newspaper=[[The Times]]|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/black-lives-matter-free-speech-sites-harbour-neo-nazis-zlm22223p|url-access=subscription|date=17 June 2020|issn=0140-0460}}</ref> [[The Guardian]] reported that CST's analysis discovered posts on [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]] which "...celebrat[ed] [[Thomas Mair (alleged assassin)|Thomas Mair]] and [[David Copeland]], and other far-right terrorists."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-28|title=The UK social media platform where neo-Nazis can view terror atrocities|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/28/the-uk-social-media-platform-where-neo-nazis-can-view-terror-atrocities|access-date=2021-02-04|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> In early 2021, the CST reported the website BitChute to [[Ofcom]] for content it considered antisemitic, hateful, and extremist.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Fiona|title='Hateful' BitChute video site is first test for Ofcom|newspaper=[[The Times]]|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hateful-video-site-is-first-test-for-ofcom-dbd2cb6z7|url-access=subscription|date=28 January 2020|issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BitChute - A Very British Problem – Blog|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2021/01/28/bitchute-a-very-british-problem|access-date=2021-02-04|website=cst.org.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref> The CST has scrutinized other platforms such as [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]] for antisemitic content.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harpin|first=Lee|date=|title=Facebook accused of having 'blind spot' on Holocaust denial|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/facebook-accused-of-having-blind-spot-on-holocaust-denial-1.505769|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818122017/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/facebook-accused-of-having-blind-spot-on-holocaust-denial-1.505769 |archive-date=2020-08-18 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-04|title=Twitter accounts at heart of Labour antisemitism battle, says report|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/04/labour-antisemitism-twitter-tom-watson-rachel-riley|access-date=2021-02-04|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-06|title=Margaret Hodge calls for ban on social media anonymity|url=http://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/06/margaret-hodge-calls-for-ban-on-social-media-anonymity|access-date=2021-02-04|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

The charity was among the groups that worked with [[TikTok]] to develop a [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]] education initiative launched in early 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reporter|first=Jewish News|title=Facebook launches comprehensive Holocaust education resource|url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/facebook-launches-comprehensive-holocaust-education-resource/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=jewishnews.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

After the [[2021 storming of the United States Capitol|storming of the Capitol in the United States]] in January 2021, the CST warned that calls for similar events to take place in the United Kingdom, including a proposed storming of [[Palace of Westminster|Parliament]] or [[Downing Street]], were appearing in far-right spaces online.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Frot|first=Mathilde|date=|title=Warning as British extremists call for US-style assault on Parliament|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/warning-as-british-extremists-call-for-us-style-assault-on-parliament-1.510509|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108152734/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/warning-as-british-extremists-call-for-us-style-assault-on-parliament-1.510509 |archive-date=2021-01-08 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Capitolising On Violence: How British far right extremists reacted to last night's horrific scenes in Washington D.C. – Blog|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2021/01/07/capitolising-on-violence-how-british-far-right-extremists-reacted-to-last-nights-horrific-scenes-in-washington-d-c|date=7 January 2021|website=cst.org.uk|language=en}}</ref>

==Funding and finances==
In May 2014, the ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'' reported that the former chief executive of the CST, [[Richard Benson (charity organiser)|Richard Benson]], (who had stepped down from the position in 2013)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dysch|first=Marcus|title=CST chief executive Richard Benson steps down|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/cst-chief-executive-richard-benson-steps-down-1.46490|date=4 July 2013|website=www.thejc.com}}</ref> was one of the highest paid charity leaders within the British Jewish community, earning £170,000-£190,000 per annum. The charity had an annual turnover of £7.34 million (making it one of the larger UK Jewish charities) and 63 employees.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Revealed: who gets what among charity movers and shakers |last=Dysch |first=Marcus |newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle |date=23 May 2014 |url= https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/revealed-who-gets-what-among-charity-movers-and-shakers-1.54943}}</ref>

Beginning in 2015, the UK government's [[Home Office]] has provided 'The Jewish Community Protective Security Grant' for the security of synagogues, schools and other Jewish centres, with the CST as the Grant Recipient. [[Home Secretary]] [[Sajid Javid]] pledged to increase funding, bringing the total amount allocated from 2015 to 2019 to £65.2 million.<ref name = javidcst>{{cite news|title=Home Office raises grant for protection of Jewish institutions by £600,000|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/home-office-raises-grant-for-protection-of-jewish-institutions-by-600-000-1.480719| access-date=27 February 2019|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=27 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sajid Javid vows to tackle anti-Semitism in UK|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47389912| access-date=27 February 2019|work=BBC New|date=27 February 2019}}</ref> In 2020, the grant was renewed, and the CST received £14 million in funding for protecting the security of the Jewish community and its institutions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hymas|first=Charles|date=2020-04-01|title=Jewish community to get £14 million Government grant for security after record anti-semitic attacks|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/04/01/jewish-community-get-14-million-government-grant-security-record/|access-date=2021-02-04|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Judah|first=Jacob|date=2020-04-01|title=Home Office grants CST £14 million to protect Jewish institutions|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/home-office-grants-14-million-to-protect-jewish-institutions-1.498658|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815051917/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/home-office-grants-14-million-to-protect-jewish-institutions-1.498658 |archive-date=2020-08-15 |access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.thejc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Home Office grants £14 million funding for security at Jewish institutions|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-office-grants-14-million-funding-for-security-at-jewish-institutions|date=1 April 2020|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Home Office|language=en}}</ref> As of 2020, the CST had 1,500 volunteers.<ref name="JN pay"/>

As of 2020, the CST, led by new chief executive Mark Gardner, had 92 staff members, one of whom was paid at a similar rate of £170,000-£179,000 per annum, according to the charity regulator, the [[Charity Commission for England and Wales]].<ref name="JN pay">{{Cite news |title=What do the top earners take home at the community's biggest charities? |author= |work=Jewish News |date=4 September 2020 |url= https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/charity-commission-register-reveals-communal-employees-on-more-than-60k/}}</ref>

Amidst a rise in [[antisemitism during the Israel–Hamas war]], the UK government provided £3 million to the CST in October 2023, for a total of £18 million in funding for 2023. The additional funding provided additional security to more than 480 Jewish community institutions, including nearly 200 schools and more than 250 synagogues.<ref name="24funding" />

Prime Minister [[Rishi Sunak]] announced in February 2024 a new £72 million security package to fund the CST through 2028, inclusive of £18 million in funding for 2024-25.<ref name="24funding" />

==Criticism==
In 2011, a number of articles appeared in the British weekly newspaper ''[[The Jewish Chronicle]]'' that  questioned the work and functioning of the CST. [[Gilbert Kahn]], of [[Kean University]] in the US, took the view that British Jewry did not need a CST because British Jews paid taxes to the state for their physical protection and could therefore depend on the police. On 15 April, the newspaper's columnist [[Geoffrey Alderman]] argued against the CST on the grounds that its leadership and funding were neither transparent nor accountable. Alderman returned to the subject on 10 June, when he speculated that his doubts about the CST and its work were more widely shared.<ref name=GACST>{{cite news|last=Alderman|first=Geoffrey|title=Our unrepresentative security|url=https://www.thejc.com/lets-talk/our-unrepresentative-security-xswcfnbz|access-date=15 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]|date=2011-04-18}}</ref><ref name=GACST1>{{cite news|last=Alderman|first=Geoffrey|title=Continually Spreading Trust|url=http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/columnists/50033/continually-spreading-trust|access-date=15 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]|date=2011-10-06}}{{dead link|date=May 2024}}</ref>

In July 2015, Alderman devoted his column to the retirement of the CST's Director of Security, Carol Laser. Alderman speculated on the reason for her retirement and questioned whether it was wise that she had agreed to have her identity revealed, considering that the nature of her work would have made enemies.<ref>{{cite news|last=Alderman|first=Geoffrey|title=Secrets that should stay hidden|url=http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/columnists/140533/secrets-should-stay-hidden|access-date=September 18, 2015|newspaper=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]|date=July 23, 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Campaign Against Antisemitism]]
*[[Shomrim (neighborhood watch group)]]
*[[Nonprofit Security Grant Program]], program in the United States to fund physical security at nonprofit institutions, primarily benefiting Jewish institutions
*[[Secure Community Network]], umbrella Jewish security agency in the United States

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://cst.org.uk/ Official website]

{{British Jewry}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Jewish charities based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1994]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Opposition to antisemitism in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Jewish organizations established in 1994]]