Man who claims he ‘founded’ Shomrim suspected over stolen newspapers

Hundreds of copies of Jewish News are being snatched from stockists across north London.

The thefts are understood to be in retaliation for Jewish News exposing potentially deadly lockdown breaches in Stamford Hill.

Multiple sources named Reverend Efraim Goldstein, 31, as being behind the campaign. One member of the Stamford Hill community, who asked not to be named, said: “Efraim Goldstein is organising the campaign against the Jewish News, which began after the lockdown weddings investigation.

“He encourages people to go to shops and take stacks of the newspaper away. He says the shops won’t stop stocking the newspaper but they also won’t stop people removing them.” Another source said: “Goldstein’s WhatsApp messages encourage people to take action against the Jewish News. He has two WhatsApp groups, one with more than 1,800 members.”

A third source said: “This is not the first time Goldstein has led a boycott campaign against free speech. He recently called for a boycott of the local Stamford Hill news sheet because he didn’t like an article in it.”

Goldstein claims on social media to have “founded” Shomrim, the Stamford Hill neighbourhood watch group that works with police to uphold law and order. However, the organisation told Jewish News Goldstein “played no part in its launch” and “has never been affiliated in any way”.

Mr Goldstein declined two earlier invitations from Jewish News to comment but has now denied the allegation and launched a legal claim.

The matter has been reported to police and security guards will be placed outside Jewish News stockists this week to prevent further offences.

Two men received suspended prison sentences in 2019 after being convicted of stealing free newspapers at London Bridge Station.

• Have you witnessed copies of Jewish News being unlawfully removed from stockists? Email editorial@jewishnews.co.uk and we will pass any relevant information to the police.