British PM David Cameton hailed his government's strong relationship with the Jewish community. Photo: Twitter

British Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed his backing for extra security measures to protect the Jewish community following last week’s Islamist terrorist attacks in Paris.

“The government has a very strong relationship with the Jewish community and talks to them regularly about these issues,” Cameron told the UK’s Channel 4 News.

Cameron, who was visiting Washington for talks with President Obama, confirmed that London’s Metropolitan Police would step up patrols in Jewish neighborhoods. Asked whether the measures were based on specific threats, Cameron said, “We don’t give a running commentary on specific threats, but these steps were taken because of what happened in Paris and because…it’s the right thing to do.”

The Prime Minister pointed out that absolute security was not something that could be guaranteed. “There’s no way you can give 100 per cent protection in an open and free society,” Cameron said. “I would stress that while we have very strong and capable intelligence services…there’s an important role for the public as well.”