Man arrested after ‘shocking’ antisemitic attack video circulates on social media

Thames Valley police have confirmed that an individual has been arrested, after a video showing an individual verbally and physically harassing a Jewish man in Slough circulated widely on social media today. 

In the video, understood to have been taken on Monday afternoon on Elliman avenue in the Berkshire town, a Jewish man doing building work in the area was approached by an individual on a bicycle and subjected to verbal abuse, including the epithets ‘f***ing babykiller’ and “dirty mother***ing Jew” and a “dirty mother***ing Zionist little f***ing pig”. The individual also used physical force several times, trying to prevent the Jewish man from filming him.

Passing motorists condemned the abuser, who also repeatedly threatened to break the Jewish man’s jaw and accused him of “killing kids in Palestine”. A pedestrian passer by also approached, attempting to defuse the situation. The individual eventually got back on his bike and left the vicinity.

The police told Jewish News: “We have arrested a man following a hate-related incident in Slough.

“We are aware of a video circulating online in relation to the incident, which we were called to at 4.36pm on Monday (20/4).

“It was reported that a man in his 20s had been threatened on Elliman Avenue. Verbally abusive, antisemitic comments were made and attempts were also made to snatch his phone from his hand.

“Since we received this report, we have been carrying out a number of enquiries and have now arrested a 48-year-old man from Slough on suspicion of racially/religiously aggravated assault and racially/religiously aggravated public order. He is currently in police custody.”

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Terry Dixon, of the Berkshire East Priority Crime Team, said: “We know this incident will cause a great deal of concern within our Jewish communities, I would like to reassure you that we are progressing this investigation as a priority.

“We urge anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened to please get in touch with us if you haven’t already.

“Antisemitic incidents, or indeed any hate-related incident reported in the Thames Valley, will not be tolerated by police and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.

“At the current time, we have not received any similar reports in the area. If you do witness or have been the victim of any similar incident, please do report it to police so we can investigate it.”

The police also said that “anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 43260192511. Alternatively, you can submit information online via our website. You can submit information 100% anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website.”

Shomrim, the Jewish organisation which operates security patrols in areas with large Jewish communities, shared the video on social media, describing it as an “abhorrent, vile and unprovoked antisemitic assault.

“A visibly Orthodox Jewish man was minding his own business whilst at work, when he was subjected to this shocking, unprovoked attack”, the group said.

A spokesperson for CST said: “This unprovoked assault and the antisemitic abuse directed at a Jewish man simply doing his job is utterly abhorrent”, going on to confirm that they were supporting the victim.