Standing with our Jewish communities

Lead councillors met representatives of the city’s Jewish community to listen to community concerns and discuss strengthening work to combat anti-semitism in the city, following the arrest last month of an 18-year-old Brighton & Hove man on charges of extreme-right-wing related terrorism.

The man is currently in custody charged with 11 terrorism-related offences linked to an ‘extreme right-wing ideology’ and is currently in remand. 

Driving out anti-semitism

The meeting discussed a range of measures to educate young people on the history of anti-semitism and the importance of valuing difference and diversity. 

In particular, the city’s plans for marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 and the provision of anti-semitism teaching in secondary schools.

Leader of the Council Councillor Bella Sankey, Chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee Councillor Leslie Pumm, and Detective Superintendent Rachel Carr of Sussex Police, met with leaders of Jewish communities, Rabbis, Synagogues, and Jewish Community Organisations on Monday.

Councillor Sankey said: “Brighton & Hove has a longstanding and treasured Jewish population that is an integral to the history and identity of our unique and beautiful city.

“We continue to condemn anti-semitism and recommitted today to actively fighting it in all its forms.

“I’d like to thank everyone who came along for speaking to us and sharing their ideas for strengthening our work to combat antisemitism. It felt like a very positive start.

"The values of equality, and justice run through our city and we will not tolerate any action that divides or harms our communities.

“We will continue our dialogue and partnership working with our communities to address all forms of hate, threat from terrorism, and to deliver work to improve safety of our communities and residents."

Representatives from the Jewish Community expressed their gratitude to the council and Sussex Police for the reassurances given and their ongoing work in making the city a safe place for all minority communities to live.

Superintendent Rachel Carr, Sussex Police (left), Councillor Leslie Pumm (2nd from left) and Councillor Bella Sankey (4th from right), with Brighton & Hove leaders of Jewish communities, Rabbis, Synagogues, and Jewish Community Organisations.

Reporting suspicious activities

Co-operation between the public and the police is the greatest asset in tackling the challenge the UK faces from terrorism.

Sussex Police and Brighton & Hove City Council ask our residents and communities to remain aware and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity immediately by calling 999 in an emergency or the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. 

You can also report suspicious activity using the online form on gov.uk.

For further information and support, go to www.gov.uk/ACT.

Reporting hate incidents and seeking support

Everyone in Brighton & Hove has a right to feel safe. One Voice members urge everyone to be aware and encourage residents and communities to report any racist, religiously motivated, and all forms of hate incidents within our communities.

Our community safety team works closely with the police and our communities to prevent anti-social behaviour and hate incidents and support people affected.

If you have been a victim of a hate incident, our community safety team are here to support you and provide advice. You can contact our team by:

• using our online anti-social behaviour and hate incident reporting form
• emailing communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk
• calling 01273 292 735 - in an emergency, always call the police on 999

You can also report hate incidents to Sussex Police or call them on 101 if it’s not an emergency. 

If you are worried or concerned about how the incident has affected you or any of your communities, please do advise Prevent Lead Officer on Channel.Prevent@brighton-hove.gov.uk and we will ensure that together with other statutory partners we will respond to community concerns.

Anti-racist city

The council has pledged to be an anti-racist council and our anti-racism strategy sets out how We will use our resources and change what we do to actively dismantle racist structures and challenge racial inequality.