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On Tuesday 6th Sep 2016 members of Shomrim in North and East London were delighted to welcome the most senior police officer in the UK – Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe. During his visit the Commissioner handed over a letter of support, recognising the great work that Shomrim volunteers do on a daily basis. He personally participated in a joint foot patrol with Shomrim, during which he also visited Synagogues in Stamford Hill.

Shomrim is a Proactive Neighbourhood Watch whose objective is to assist the Police in reducing crime and enhance the safety of local citizens. Shomrim serves and acts as an extension to the Police’s eyes and ears, resulting in an additional 150-200 arrests of suspected criminals each year as well as helping safely locate 30- 40 vulnerable missing persons yearly. The cross community work of Shomrim in North East London has also previously been recognised and praised by a wide spectrum of major national and international figures.

In the letter handed over to the President of Shomrim – Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE – the Commissioner writes “I acknowledge the work of the Shomrim in the North East of London and success of its role as a well established voluntary organisation which acts in the interests of the community and neighbourhoods within Hackney and Haringey. Their efforts compliment the role of local officers and undoubtedly help the local residents interact with the Police and their assistance in terms of neighbourhood watch has been demonstrated.” He continues “The Shomrim continue to provide reassurance as a proactive neighbourhood watch and can often act as the link between the community and the police especially with the Jewish culture”.

The Police Chief was particularly impressed with the quality of reports that Police receive from Shomrim, and the willingness of Shomrim volunteers to provide witness evidence, which leads to many arrests and convictions, the Commissioner wrote “I am particularly impressed with the amount of times the Shomrim call us which leads to arrests being made and the fact that they are always willing to be witnesses”.

The Commissioner thanked Shomrim for their work with other faith and community groups, by adding “Shomrim have achieved a lot in the last 12 months and I thank them for their support both in terms of the work that their members perform locally but also in terms of their assistance in working with other faith and community groups in London”.

President of Shomrim in North and East London – Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE – said: “Shomrim, and all those associated with the organisation, feel very honoured and privileged that Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has endorsed in such a personal and active manner the ethos and programme of Shomrim and all what it stands for”.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)