Menorahs damaged in London as police hate crime probe launched
Police have announced an investigation into a damaged Menorah in Notting Hill, with further reports of damaged public Chanukiahs in Muswell Hill and West Hampstead
A damaged public menorah in London’s Notting Hill is under investigation by police as a religiously-aggravated hate crime, with reports of further incidents of damage to menorahs in Muswell Hill and West Hampstead.
Officers received reports at 4.03pm on Tuesday of white paint on the picture at Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, west London.
Less than an hour later, police were told a menorah close to the nearby Holland Park roundabout could no longer light up.
The force said the suspected vandalism “will cause further hurt and distress” to the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney.
Inquiries are in their early stages and the Metropolitan Police is “keeping an open mind” as to whether the London incidents are linked.
The menorah by the roundabout was first displayed at around 4pm on December 13 and the exact date and time it was damaged is not known.
Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Met’s hate crime lead, said: “This has been a tremendously difficult week for the Jewish community following the terror attack in Australia at the weekend, and I appreciate how these hate crime incidents will cause further hurt and distress.
“We’re working closely with local partners including religious leaders and have put in place additional visible patrols.
“We are treating these reports extremely seriously and will update further when we can.
“I encourage anyone with any information, who may have witnessed suspicious behaviour in the Holland Park area this week, to contact us and assist with our investigation.”
Menorahs are an important Jewish symbol and the nine-branch candelabra is used during the eight-day festival of Hanukkah, which started on Sunday.
The Met is asking to speak to anyone who saw suspicious activity near Westbourne Grove on Tuesday, or Holland Park roundabout between Saturday and Tuesday.
Mr Renowden added: “Our officers have wrapped around these incidents quickly and continue to investigate at pace.
“Enquiries remain in the early stages and we’re keeping an open mind as to whether these reports are linked.”
It is alleged that father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram opened fire on crowds of more than 1,000 people on Bondi Beach on Sunday as they celebrated the Jewish festival of light.
Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police, while Naveed, 24, woke from a coma on Tuesday and was charged with a raft of offences including 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist attack.
The first funerals of the victims took place on Wednesday, including that of London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
People with information on the Notting Hill incidents are asked to contact the force on 101 quoting CAD5183/16Dec and CAD5739/16Dec.
A spokesperson for CST said: “The vandalism of Chanukiahs in London is appalling and disgraceful, particularly in the wake of the horrific terror attack in Sydney where Jewish people were killed while celebrating Chanukah. These desecrations are not isolated incidents; we have had several such examples of damage to Chanukiahs reported to CST this week.
“The story of Chanukah is one of light and hope, and Jewish people should be free to celebrate this holiday without fear or hatred. We urge anyone with information to contact the police and then report it to CST.”
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