Further arrests and charges for crimes targeting Jewish communities in London

A number people have been arrested and charged over the weekend in a series of Met Police investigations into antisemitic crimes across the capital.

On Thursday 7 May, a ninth person was arrested as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing London investigation into an attack on volunteer-led ambulances run by the Jewish community in Golders Green. The 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson.

The arson took places on 23 March.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, said: "The attack on the Hatzola ambulances caused considerable community concern and we have been working continuously to investigate this incident.

“Our aim is to arrest and charge all those responsible for the arson attacks and other incidents targeted at Jewish, Israeli and Iranian sites in recent weeks."

Two men have pleaded guilty to antisemitic hate crime after targeting a member of the Jewish community in Hackney and filming it for social media.

20-year-old Adam Bedoui and 21-year-old Abdelkader Bousloub travelled to a predominantly Jewish area to film antisemitic content for social media. They went to Clapton Common, where they approached a Jewish man, verbally abused him and filmed the encounter for TikTok.

Both have now pleaded guilty to a religiously aggravated public order offence. Bedoui and Bousloub will appear for sentencing at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 5 June.

Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “This was a deliberate and targeted antisemitic attack, aggravated by the pair’s intention to post the incident on social media to spread hatred. It is completely unacceptable and has no place in London.

“Our officers acted quickly to arrest those responsible, and within 48 hours they have been brought before the courts and convicted. That should send a clear message — we will act decisively against anyone who commits hate crime.

“We know the harm incidents like this cause to communities and we will continue to take all reports with the utmost seriousness.”

Two people have been arrested by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London investigating an arson attack at a former synagogue in east London.

A man aged 45 and a woman aged 52 were arrested on Sunday, 10 May on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson.

Police were called to the site in Town Hamlets around 5:16 on Tuesday 5 May. Minor damage was caused to a set of gates and a lock at the front of the building. CCTV enquiries indicated that the fire was started intentionally at around 05:10hrs.

Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter said: "This attack happened at a synagogue in the process of being sold to a local Somali Muslim organisation, and I know that those of all faiths in the local area have felt targeted and together condemn this horrendous act.

“Our work to engage with and reassure all communities affected by recent events continues, and as always we want to hear of any fears or concerns so we can address them.

“I want to reiterate that no hate crime, no matter who it is against, will be tolerated. It is completely unacceptable and has no place here.”

A 34-year-old man has been charged with several offences following an alleged hate crime incident in Enfield. 

Dylan Ossei has been charged with assault; racially or religiously aggravated assault; threatening or abusive behaviour to cause fear or provoke violence; racially or religiously aggravated harassment; and threatening or abusive behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

In the early hours of Saturday 9 May, police on patrol were alerted to a man allegedly harassing, threatening and assaulting members of the Jewish community on Southbury Road, Enfield. A man in his 30s was detained and arrested before being taken to custody and later charged.

Three victims, two men, aged 58 and 26, and a woman, aged 53, sustained injuries that did not require further medical treatment. 

Detective Superintendent Marco Bardetti, who oversees policing in Enfield and Haringey, said: “The Met has made it abundantly clear that we treat reports of alleged antisemitic hate crime with the utmost seriousness and diligence, as demonstrated by the swift arrest and charge following this incident.

“We will continue working closely with Jewish communities across London to provide reassurance and ensure people feel safe in their daily lives.”

Following the attack on the Hatzola Ambulances in March and a number of other arson attacks and incidents, there have now been a total of 33 people arrested as part of the various CTP investigations.

Of those, eight people have been charged with offences, including a 17-year-old boy who has pleaded guilty to committing arson following an attack on Kenton United Synagogue in Shaftsbury Avenue, Harrow on Saturday, 18 April.

The Metropolitan Police recently announced a new dedicated Community Protection Team of 100 extra officers that will provide a more visible, intelligence‑led and coordinated presence focused on protecting Jewish communities across London.