Maureen Lipman offered security by Coronation Street amid rise in anti-Semitism
Dame Maureen Lipman says bosses at Coronation Street have offered her security protection - in a damning example of concerns being raised by the shameful rise in anti-Semitic hate rising in the UK since Hamas terrorists launched a barbaric attack in Israel on October 7.
The 77-year-old acting legend has been playing Evelyn Plummer on the long-running ITV soap since 2018. But the Jewish actress has been left shaken by the huge increase in anti-Semitic incidents that have flared in the past two weeks - which officials have recorded as an increasing in London alone by 1353%.
Dame Maureen said she was even more shocked when soap bosses spoke privately with her and offered her security protection. She said that the offer was indicative of the horrifying increase of hate crimes and threats being made against Britain’s Jewish community.
Speaking at a conference held at the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism, The Sun records Dame Maureen - who films Corrie in Manchester - saying: “I had a real surprise this week when I was offered security guards by the people at Coronation Street — this is where we are now.”
Dame Maureen Lipman says Coronation Street bosses have offered her security due to increased anti-Semitism in the UK (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
EastEnders legend Tracy-Ann Oberman has also been offered security while on her current UK theatre tour (PA)Fellow Jewish actress, Tracy-Ann Oberman - who soap fans will recall played Chrissie Watts on EastEnders from 2004 until 2005 - also spoke at the event. The 57-year-old star is currently on a critically acclaimed UK tour of Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, and revealed she too has been provided with security by producers of the play.
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She explained: “For the last week, the production has had to have security men around keeping an eye on things. It’s like a dystopian nightmare. A Jewish actress putting on a play about anti-Semitism which needs to be made secure because of Jew-hating extremists.”
The Sun added that an ITV spokesperson confirmed security had been offered to Dame Maureen, saying: “The wellbeing of all our cast and crew is of utmost importance. Everyone should feel safe to come to work, and Maureen has the full support of the entire Coronation Street family.”
An alarming increase in anti-Semitic incidents have been recorded across the UK since Hamas committed atrocities in Israel earlier this month and after the democratic nation launched an offensive in Gaza to hit back at the regime. British Jews have been targeted, intimidated and threatened - with places of work being vandalised and schools being forced to close - in relation to events occurring almost 2,500 miles away.
London’s Metropolitan Police force have acknowledged the huge increase in incidents. The force said in a statement issued on Sunday: “Regrettably, despite the increased presence of officers we have seen a significant increase in hate crime across London.”
Meanwhile, the UK government has announced £3 million in extra funding to help protect the Jewish community across the country.
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