The Charedi Jewish community is particularly recognisable and continues to be targeted by antisemitic criminals. In 2015 there were 12 known convictions for antisemitic hate crime nationwide so the 8 convictions that Shomrim has secured in 2016 are likely to represent a very large proportion of the total. These convictions are hard won: Shomrim’s volunteers patrol day and night, attend crimes, support victims, work closely with police and give testimony in court. They do this without payment and often without praise. Shomrim are without any doubt the gold standard for community policing.

I applaud the work of Shomrim in helping the police to keep neighbourhoods safe.

I want to pay tribute to the work of Rabbi Hershel Gluck and of the Shomrim volunteers. Rarely do these men, women receive recognition that they deserve.

Without you, we wouldn’t have made the arrests. Thank you, and thank you for everything you do to make the community safer.

I would like them to be seen and known as members of the community who kindly volunteer their services as the “eyes and ears” of the community to help keep everyone safe and free of crime.

After another year I am proud to endorse and support the relentless and tireless work of the Shomrim. They have delivered some truly outstanding work and been an excellent support to the Police at Hackney. They want to assist with preventing crime and informing us of offenders committing crime as well as bringing to our attention crimes that may have previously gone unreported. I would like to pass on my particular thanks to those members of the Shomrim who have supported investigations and prosecutions, by giving witness statements and attending court and giving evidence.