Man arrested for Nazi salute in Golders Green

Police have detained a 26-year old man  for a racially aggravated public order offence, after he abused passers-by and did a Nazi salute in Golders Green.

Neighbourhood watch group Shomrim N.W. followed the man after he performed the offensive gesture, before police arrested him.

A statement from the police confirms that: “On Sunday 2 April, at approximately 22.05, a 26 year-old man passed another man standing outside a venue at 134, Golders Green Road NW11 8HB to whom he gave a Nazi salute.”

“The suspect then walked away. Further down the road the suspect spat at another man, which landed on the man’s trousers. The suspect carried on walking.”

“Police were called to the scene and arrested the suspect for a racially aggravated public order offence. The suspect is being held in custody in a north London police station. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism told Jewish News: “The abuse of Jews with the language and symbols of Nazi Germany is intended to maximise the distress caused to the victims. It is a form of antisemitism expressly designed to arouse fear, and must be treated severely by the criminal justice system if others are to be deterred from employing it.”

A Community Security Trust spokesperson said:  “We are pleased the offender was arrested and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Police.”

Gary Ost, Chief Executive of Shomrim NW London said “our volunteers followed procedure and followed the suspect at a safe distance whilst our control room updated Police on his whereabouts. We are grateful for the swift response by Barnet Police who arrested the suspect. We are supporting the victims to this unacceptable behaviour”