Sadiq Khan condemns ‘disgusting’ Golders Green antisemitic attacks
EXCLUSIVE: Mayor of London says antisemitism has no place in London as police release CCTV of suspect
The Mayor of London has condemned the spate of antisemitic attacks in Golders Green as “disgusting” and pledges his full support for the police investigation.
A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan told Jewish News: “The Mayor is appalled by the recent disgusting antisemitic attacks in Golders Green and is clear that antisemitism has no place in London. It is right that the Met Police are investigating these horrendous series of incidents and doing everything they can to reassure the local community. Officers have released an image and CCTV footage of a man they would like to speak to in connection with all of the incidents.”
City Hall added that the Mayor is “leading from the front” to ensure the police take a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism, pointing to a record £16 million investment to combat hatred, intolerance, and extremism. Last month, Khan announced a further £875,000 through his Shared Endeavour Fund to support grassroots projects tackling antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate in schools and communities across London.
The comments come after a synagogue and adjoining children’s nursery in Golders Green were smeared with excrement in the early hours of Thursday, the latest in a string of desecrations that have shocked the local Jewish community.
The incidents began on 31 August, when faeces was smeared on a synagogue and nearby walkways. Further attacks followed on 2, 3, and 7 September. On 8 September, a man was arrested after approaching school children in Bridge Lane and shouting antisemitic abuse; police later confirmed he was detained on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and taken to hospital for a mental health assessment. The most recent desecration, reported on 11 September, brings the total to eight antisemitic incidents in just over a week, with seven of them linked in a single investigation into religiously motivated criminal damage.
Detective Superintendent Katie Harber, who is leading the investigation, said: “These are revolting and appalling acts and we are urging the public to help us identify the perpetrator. Police and local partners continue to carry out extensive CCTV enquiries which have established the same suspect is likely responsible for all seven offences. We are very aware of how distressing these offences have been for those who have been targeted. We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.”
“Sadiq will continue to work closely with the Met, faith leaders and communities to stamp out hate crime as we continue to build a safer London for everyone,” his spokesperson said.
The Metropolitan Police have urged anyone with information to contact them on 101 quoting 1071/03SEP, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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