Borehamwood synagogue incident arrest sees suspect banned from entering any synagogue in England

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after an alleged antisemitic incident outside a synagogue in Borehamwood, with police imposing bail conditions banning him from entering any synagogue in England.

Hertfordshire Police said the arrest followed reports that a man made an offensive gesture outside the synagogue on Croxdale Road earlier this month.

Neighbourhood officers, working alongside the Community Security Trust (CST), reviewed CCTV footage and identified a suspect.

Police confirmed the 19-year-old, from Watford, was arrested on Friday, 22 May, on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.

He has since been released on bail under what police described as “strict conditions”, including not entering Croxdale Road and not attending any synagogue in England while the investigation continues.

PC Joe Geeson said: “I would like to thank CST for their assistance in progressing our response to this incident.

“We understand the distress and concern incidents like this cause. Hate-related behaviour has no place in our communities, and we will continue working closely with partners to ensure those responsible are identified and dealt with appropriately.”

The incident comes amid heightened concern within the Jewish community over rising antisemitism and follows a separate alleged antisemitic incident reported in Borehamwood earlier this year.

In March, Hertfordshire Police arrested a 55-year-old Borehamwood man after a Jewish man was allegedly pushed, threatened with a screwdriver and subjected to antisemitic abuse outside a synagogue on Furzehill Road.

Police said that earlier incident was treated as a hate crime, with increased patrols introduced around local places of worship following the report.