Two teens arrested over swastikas daubed in Borehamwood
Police detain two after spate of antisemitic vandalism, with councillor Jeremy Newmark saying 'residents have been shocked and shaken by this shameful incident'
Jack Mendel is the former Online Editor at the Jewish News.
Two teenagers suspected of arson and daubing swastikas in Borehamwood have been arrested by police.
Councillor Jeremy Newmark reported the offensive symbols found in multiple locations on Monday evening, including on The Campions, Retford Close and Sawtry Way.
Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Police were called at around 8pm on Monday 21 September to report that two men were acting suspiciously near a van in Stapleton Road, Borehamwood.”
Officers attended and discovered the van had been broken into and a small fire had been started nearby.”
Graffiti was also discovered on a number of garages and vehicles in the area.”
A 18-year-old man from Borehamwood was arrested on suspicion of arson, criminal damage to a vehicle, racially aggravated criminal damage, going equipped, interference with a motor vehicle and burglary (non-dwelling).”
A 16-year-old boy from Borehamwood was arrested on suspicion of arson, interference with a motor vehicle, criminal damage, burglary (non-dwelling) and racially aggravated criminal damage.”
The police said the suspects have been bailed while enquiries continue.
The swastikas were daubed alongside Stars of David on a park bench and on garage doors, with the tag ‘Azza’.
The graffiti has now been cleared off, following evidence-gathering by police.
Newmark said he was “appalled to receive multiple reports from concerned residents about a spate of antisemitic graffiti on Council garages and street furniture in and around that area.” He added: “Together with other Ward Councillors I’ve previously called for action on the growth of antisocial behaviour around this lovely neighbourhood.”
Speaking to Jewish News, he added that “many residents have been shocked and shaken by this shameful incident”, thanking officials “for their incredibly swift response in ensuring the daubings were removed as soon as police had concluded their investigations.”
Dave Rich, Director of Policy for the Community Security Trust said: “We are aware of this appalling graffiti and we are speaking to Police to confirm details of the arrests. We are pleased that the Police have acted so quickly and hope this sends a signal that antisemitic hate crime will not be tolerated.”
In 2017, Borehamwood officially overtook Stanmore as Britain’s biggest Jewish community.
Rabbi Alex Chapper, Senior Rabbi of Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue said: “To come out of an uplifting Rosh Hashanah to discover this cowardly graffiti attack is deeply upsetting. The Borehamwood Jewish community has good relations with the wider community and this makes it even more distressing. We are pleased the police have acted so quickly and arrested two suspects. Both Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue and I are available for anyone to talk to who has been affected by this incident.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
