The Community Security Trust (CST): what it is, and what it means for Jewish organisations

For the UK's Jewish community, the Community Security Trust (CST) is the charity that provides security support to Jewish organisations, and has done so since 1994. It works with the police, records antisemitic incidents, and administers the Government's protective-security grant for the Jewish community. At a time when antisemitism is at some of the highest levels on record, it is worth understanding what CST is and does, and how a Jewish organisation can draw on it. This is a practical, supportive guide to CST and what it means for synagogues, Jewish schools and communal organisations. Like our companion guide for mosques, it is about preparation and support, not fear. It is general information, not advice — take specialist advice on your own security, and always involve the police where there is a threat to safety.

What CST is

CST is a charity, established in 1994, whose stated purpose is to protect British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. It works with the police at local, regional and national level, and much of its work is delivered by trained volunteers alongside professional staff.

What CST does

CST's work spans three connected areas:

• Security advice, training and support — free of charge. CST provides physical-security advice, event protection and security training to synagogues, Jewish schools and communal organisations and buildings, at no cost. It helps secure over 650 Jewish communal buildings and around 1,000 communal events every year.
• Monitoring and recording antisemitism. CST records antisemitic incidents and publishes an annual Antisemitic Incidents Report — its figures for 2025 were among the highest it has recorded — and is a body to which antisemitic incidents can be reported.
• Representation and partnership. CST represents the Jewish community to police, Government and the media on antisemitism and security, exchanges intelligence with the police, and supports victims.

The security funding CST administers

CST also administers the Government's Jewish Community Protective Security Grant. As part of a record package of protective-security funding for faith communities (up to £73.4 million across all faiths in 2026–27), up to £28.4 million is available through this grant for synagogues, Jewish schools and community centres — covering on-site security staff and equipment such as CCTV, fencing, intruder alarms and floodlights. If you run a Jewish communal organisation, this is funding worth accessing — and CST can help you do it.

What this means for Jewish organisations

In practical terms, CST is a police-linked partner that Jewish organisations can turn to for security support. If you are responsible for a synagogue, a Jewish school or a communal building or event:

• Make CST your first call for security — for free advice, a risk assessment, training for your people, and event protection.
• Report antisemitic incidents to CST as well as to the police (999 in an emergency, otherwise 101) — reporting builds the true picture and unlocks support.
• Apply for the protective-security grant with CST's help.
• Take up the training CST offers, and build the relationship before you need it.

You are, in short, not on your own — and drawing on CST is a sign of good stewardship, not alarm.

Responding to an incident

If something happens:

1. Safety first — call 999 if a crime is in progress or anyone is in danger; otherwise 101.
2. Report it — to the police and to CST, which records incidents and supports those affected.
3. Preserve evidence — photograph, and note times, descriptions and witnesses, before clearing up.
4. Support those affected, practically and pastorally.
5. If your organisation is a registered charity, consider whether the incident meets the threshold for a serious-incident report to the Charity Commission (our serious-incident template and building security policy template may help).

Expertise shared with other faiths

CST's work also reaches beyond the Jewish community. Its security expertise has been shared with other faiths — it has advised churches, mosques, temples and gurdwaras, and its approach provided the model for Tell MAMA, which records and supports victims of anti-Muslim hate. It is a reminder that the security of all faith communities is a shared concern, and that cooperation across faiths — against antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and every form of religious hostility — is in everyone's interest (a theme we return to in our work on interfaith relationships).

The bottom line

For Jewish organisations, CST is a free source of security advice, training, funding support and incident reporting, working in partnership with the police. Amid rising antisemitism, the practical message is one of preparation rather than fear: engage CST, access the funding you're entitled to, report every incident, and keep Jewish communal life thriving safely and openly. And on the governance and financial side of running a secure organisation, take advice where you need it.

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This article is general information, not advice. Security and hate-crime situations are serious and specific — take specialist security advice, and contact the police where there is any threat to safety. For help with the governance, policies and planning behind keeping your community safe, get in touch.

Sources verified (August 2026):

• Community Security Trust — About CST — https://cst.org.uk/about-cst
• Community Security Trust — Security (advice, training and support for the Jewish community) — https://cst.org.uk/security
• Community Security Trust — Antisemitic Incidents Report — https://cst.org.uk/research/cst-publications
• GOV.UK / Home Office — Jewish Community Protective Security Grant — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/jewish-community-protective-security-grant
• GOV.UK — Record funding to protect faith communities — https://www.gov.uk/government/news/record-funding-to-protect-faith-communities