About
Community security at BES
The BES Security Committee organises the volunteer rota that protects the building during services and community events. Volunteers work alongside the Community Security Trust (CST) and, where appropriate, the Metropolitan Police.
The security committee
The committee is a small team of lay volunteers who plan rotas, coordinate training, liaise with CST and the police, and maintain procedures. The committee reports to the BES Board of Elders. We are always interested in members who want to help on the committee itself as well as on shifts.
CST partnership
The Community Security Trust is the national charity that protects the UK Jewish community. CST provides our standardised training, runs the national radio network we use during shifts, and shares threat intelligence with our coordinators. Volunteers on the BES rota complete CST training to Level 1 as a minimum, with progression through Levels 2 to 6 available.
What the role involves
What you will do
Greet members and visitors arriving for services.
Stay alert to anything out of the ordinary on the street and at the entrance.
Work as part of a small team led by an experienced volunteer.
Support CST and police if they are present.
Attend a short briefing before your shift.
What you will not do
You will not carry weapons.
You will not physically intervene in incidents — that is for trained CST stewards or police.
You will not be expected to work alone.
You will not be asked to take shifts on dates that conflict with personal obligations.
Why this matters
A visible community presence at the entrance to services has been shown, across decades, to deter casual threats and reassure members. The rota is a practical expression of the responsibility we share for one another. The more members who volunteer, the lighter the load on each.
Ready to join?
Applications take around ten minutes. The committee will review yours and be in touch within two weeks.
Apply to volunteer