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The unit will initially focus on antisemitic threats, but could serve as a model for protecting other communities facing spikes in hate crime

A dedicated team of 100 additional officers is to be deployed to protect London's Jewish communities, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The force said the new Community Protection Team would comprise of officers from neighbourhood policing, specialist protection and those with counter terrorism capabilities.

Community Security Trust (CST) - a charity set up to protect British Jews from antisemitism - welcomed the announcement and said it sent a strong message to would-be offenders.

The number of antisemitic hate crimes recorded by the Met rose sharply last month, with 140 offences logged in April, compared with 98 in March and 67 in February.

Barnet recorded the highest number in April, with 51 incidents – more than a third of the total.

The borough includes Golders Green, Hendon and Finchley, which are all areas with large Jewish populations and…