Stamford Hill ‘anxious’ after two strictly Orthodox Jewish schools vandalised
Police investigating possible hate crime after girls schools had red paint thrown over them in suspected protest over Israeli action in Gaza
Police in Hackney are investigating incidents of vandalism at two Jewish schools and buildings in Stamford Hill after people threw red paint over doors and gates.
On Thursday, Vishnitz Girls’ School on Amhurst Park, which has 446 students, was targeted in the early hours. Local sources said several girls, upon arrival in the morning, were so upset by what they saw that they ran home.
The vandal, wearing a mask and a hooded coat while carrying an umbrella, was captured on closed circuit TV daubing the school just before 6am. Paint was thrown over four parts of the school building, including the front door.
Then on Monday, Beis Chinuch Lebonos Girls’ School – just a few hundred yards away – was also hit in the early hours. This time paint was thrown over a security gate, which stopped the vandal getting to the school buildings.
The area, which has a large strictly Orthodox community, is being targeted by protests against the defensive actions of the Israel Defence Forces in response to the terrorist attack by Hamas last weekend that claimed 1,400 lives.
Closed circuit cameras caught one perpetrator wearing a mask and carrying an umbrella approach the front of the school and throw red paint over the front door before leaving.
Representatives said Hackney Police was “taking it very seriously, working with headteachers and giving them the support they need”, adding that Vishnitz Girls’ School was in discussions with the Community Security Trust (CST) about enhancing security.
Joel Friedman, director of public affairs for the Pinter Trust, said: “We’re all very shocked by what’s happened in Israel. We feel closely associated with it as most of us have family members who live in Israel.
“We’re worried about hate crimes against the Jewish community, especially after these two schools were vandalised, and we’re worried about what lies ahead.
“We are thankful to the police for increasing their presence and feel we need all the support we can get at the moment, because people are feeling very anxious.
“The Orthodox community in Stamford Hill is obviously very visibly Jewish, so there is a greater risk of course.
“But we are proud of our good relations with the local Muslim community – something Rabbi Pinter championed. We hope and pray for peace. We don’t want anyone to get hurt, either here or abroad.”
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
