Met to increase intelligence gathering in London schools amid Gaza tensions

Exclusive: Human rights groups voice alarm as letter to headteachers reveals plan for more visible patrols

Metropolitan police officers have been instructed to increase intelligence-gathering activities at London schools in response to the Israel-Hamas war, ramping up concerns among human rights groups about the surveillance of children.

Officers were briefed to increase their visible patrols" at schools and engage with school staff in order to obtain information about community tensions", according to a letter sent to headteachers.