Former soldiers have been hired to protect synagogues and Jewish schools after a wave of anti-Semitic attacks have left British Jews terrified.

Jewish institutions have always relied on volunteers or security guards but it has been revealed they have been using the services of private contractor supplied by Community Security Trust (CST), which safeguards British Jews and distributes Home Office funding. The firm mainly employs its staff from the armed forces, including elite fighting units in the Royal Navy and British Army.

It is believed the veterans were sent to temporarily protect Jewish synagogues and schools following the Heaton Park synagogue attack in Manchester in October which saw two worshippers killed.

With the war in Iran triggering more hostility towards British Jews, the former soldiers have been sent to patrol in north London and Manchester.

Since the conflict erupted Tehran has claimed responsibility for a number of incidents targeting Jews in the UK, including an arson attack on a fleet of Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green and at least two synagogues in Finchley and Kenton which were targeted in failed petrol bombings.

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