CCTV caught the shocking moment that a teenage Jewish boy was ‘pelted with stones’ walking to the synagogue in an attack in broad daylight in north London.
The Met has now launched an investigation into the assault of the boy, believed to be 16, which is being treated as a hate crime, which took place on Rookwood Road, Hackney around 5.55pm on Saturday May 11.
The boy, dressed in traditional Jewish clothing, was chased by three men, one of whom was throwing stones at him, in the Stamford Hill area of London.
The North London neighbourhood is home to the biggest population of Hasidic Jews in Europe and has long been plagued by anti-Semitic assaults, but these appear to have increased in intensity since the October 7 terror attacks on Israel.
Suspected hate crimes reported to police in recent months include thugs on bikes randomly assaulting pedestrians in traditional Jewish dress, a man walking down a street threatening to ‘kill’ Jews and an alleged robbery that saw a 20-year-old woman beaten unconscious.
CCTV caught the shocking moment that a teenage Jewish boy was ‘pelted with stones’ walking to the synagogue in an attack in broad daylight in north London
The Met has now launched an investigation into the assault of the boy, believed to be 16, which is being treated as a hate crime , which took place on Rookwood Road, Hackney around 5.55pm on Saturday May 11
The boy, dressed in traditional Jewish clothing, was chased by three men, one of whom was throwing stones at him, in the Stamford Hill area of London
The victim in the footage is reportedly ‘alright’ following the attack, as he has got used to antisemitism in the area, the JC reports.
The Metropolitan Police said: ‘An investigation is underway after a reported assault of a male in Rookwood Road, N16.
‘At around 17:55hrs on Saturday, 11 May, the victim – a Jewish male – was walking on Rookwood Road, N16 when he was approached by another male and allegedly had an item thrown at him.
‘The incident was reported to police the next day and an investigation was launched by officers based in Hackney. At this stage, the incident is being treated as hate crime.
‘We are aware of a video being shared online and this will form part of our enquiries. We are in contact with the Shomrim and our enquiries are ongoing.
‘No arrest have been made at this time.
‘Anyone with information should call 101, giving the reference CAD 8409/23MAY. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’
Neighbourhood watch Shomrim chief Chaim Hochhauser told the outlet that the unprovoked attack happened as the victim walked to the synagogue on Shabbat.
The North London neighbourhood of Stamford Hill (file photo) is home to the biggest population of Hasidic Jews in Europe and has long been plagued by anti-Semitic assaults, but these appear to have increased in intensity since the October 7 terror attacks on Israel
He said the perpetrators have have caused ‘quite a lot of trouble’ since the October 7 attacks, in attempts to ‘frightenand harm the Jewish community’.
Police are investigating the alleged assault but not arrests have been made as of yet.
Shomrim president Rabbi Herschel Gluck told the JC that the hate crimes in the area were being committed by white ‘yobs’ who are ‘exactly the same people who commit Islamophobia’.
He added that they were not doing it because of a side they have taken in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, but because they want to attack vulnerable communities, including Muslim groups.
But Gary Mond, chairman of the UK’s National Jewish Assembly, told the Jerusalem Post that the incident was ‘yet another example of the growth in Jew hatred in Britain’, especially in areas with large Jewish populations.
He said that while Rabbi Gluck was right that there was evidence the perpetrators were ‘yobs’, that there was a huge rise in attacks on Jews vs other minorities, showing a ‘huge problem facing Britain’s Jewish community and vigorous enforcement of the law is needed’.