The North London neighbourhood plagued by anti

Release time：2024-05-22 08:55:06 Source：Culture Compass news portal

Shocking CCTV showing the 'attempted kidnap' of a Jewish man in Stamford Hill will renew fears the area is being singled out by violent bigots due to its large Jewish community. 

The neighbourhood in North London is home to the biggest population of Hasidic Jews in Europe and has long been plagued by anti-Semitic assaults, but these appear to have increased in intensity since the October 7 terror attacks on Israel. 

Suspected hate crimes reported to police in recent months include thugs on bikes randomly assaulting pedestrians in traditional Jewish dress, a man walking down a street threatening to 'kill' Jews and an alleged robbery that saw a 20-year-old woman beaten unconscious. 

Graffiti showing the Star of David crossed out has also appeared in the neighbourhood, while a religious school was left daubed in red paint. 

Shomrim, a local community watch group, warned Stamford Hill was being targeted due to being a 'Jewish neighbourhood'. Many residents dress in traditional black hats and coats, making them easily identifiable.

Shocking CCTV footage showing yesterday's 'attempted kidnap' in Stamford Hill, north London

Stamford Hill, in the borough of Hackney, has been home to a large community of Hasidic Jews for more than a hundred years

The area is home to the largest community of Hasidic Jews in Europe. Pictured is a file photo showing a Jewish man on the local high street  

Stamford Hill, in Hackney, has been home to a large community of Hasidic Jews for more than a hundred years. 

Jews from Eastern Europe who had settled in Whitechapel began to move west towards the end of the 19th century, and in 1926 the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations was established in the area. 

After the Holocaust, as Jews fled persecution in Europe, many different orthodox groups arrived in the area and soon a network of distinct independent schools, with their own synagogues, was formed. 

Today, Stamford Hill is home to an estimated 25,000 ultra-orthodox Jews, according to local officials.  

Many follow a highly observant and communal religious life, dressing in traditional clothes and shunning potentially corrupting influences like the TV or Internet - although exceptions can be granted for business reasons. 

The community in Stamford Hill has regularly suffered harassment and intimidation. 

Following another incident of racist graffiti in February, the local Shomrim said: 'The fact the Jewish neighbourhood of Stamford Hill is being targeted clearly shows prejudice.

'The Jewish community of Stamford Hill should be allowed to live in peace without constant threats and intimidation, irrespective of world events.'

A man on a bike randomly attacking Jewish men in Stamford Hill on December 21 

A Star of David covered with an 'x' at a bus stop in Stamford Hill in December 2023 

Abdullah Qureshi, was handed a hospital order for travelling to the area from 180 miles away in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire specifically for the purpose of targeting Jews 

The suggestion that Stamford Hill has been specifically targeted is borne out by events. 

READ MORE - Police investigating possible hate crime after young Jewish woman is 'violently assaulted and robbed' in London 

Last year, Abdullah Qureshi, was handed a hospital order for travelling to the area from 180 miles away in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire specifically for the purpose of targeting Jews. 

The 30-year-old, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, attacked two men and a 14-year-old boy wearing Jewish dress on August 18, 2022. 

In February, the Community Security Trust published data showing the number of anti-Semitic incidents jumped 147 per cent last year to 4,103, up from 1,662 in 2022. It included 266 violent assaults on Jews, up 96 per cent year-on-year.

While the charity did not provide figures for Stamford Hill specifically, in 2016 the local Shomrim reported  receiving eight reports of anti-Semitic incidents every week. 

Several recent attacks have been caught on CCTV.

Shomrim say this video captures the moment a woman was beaten unconscious on December 9. Two woman were later arrested on suspicion of robbery  

Shomrim Stamford Hill shared a photo of red paint on a Jewish school last year  

Shomrim said this man - filmed last year - threatened to 'kill' Jews he walked past  

Footage filmed on December 21 showed a man on a bike tipping the hats off Jewish men close to a synagogue, while in a similar incident that month a man was punched in the face. The Met said at the time it was investigating the incidents. 

Shomrim also released a video they said showed a woman being 'beaten unconscious' by two attackers, who then stood over her and 'joked about her being dead'. Two girls were later arrested on suspicion of robbery. 

Video of four men appearing to try and force a Jewish pedestrian into the boot of their car emerged last night. 

The men are seen parking and getting out their car before allegedly demanding their victim gets into the boot.

The Jewish man backs away from the men in the street while on the phone before one appears to jump towards him in a threatening manner.

Only when the Jewish man threatens to call the police do the men get back in their car and start driving away.

Shomrim said the 'attempted kidnap' happened yesterday afternoon.

The incident comes amid mounting concerns about anti-Semitic abuse in Britain, fuelled by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict following the militant group's terror attacks last October 7.

A youngster wearing a mask of former US President Donald Trump as fancy dress while celebrating the Jewish festival of Purim in Stamford Hill on March 24 

Stamford Hill is home to Europe's largest community of Hasidic Jews. Pictured are scenes from Purim celebrations in March 

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'An investigation is underway after a reported kidnapping attempt of a male in Stamford Hill.

'At around 17:24hrs on Friday, 26 April, the victim – a Jewish male – was walking on Moundfield Road, N16 when a car pulled up beside him and two males got out of the vehicle.

'The victim was approached by one of the males and allegedly told the victim to get into the boot of the car, shortly before driving off.

'The incident was reported to the police and an investigation was launched by officers based in Hackney.

'We are aware of a video being shared online and this will form part of our enquiries. We are in contact with the Shomrim and our enquiries are ongoing. No arrest have been made at this time.

'Anyone with information should call 101, giving the reference CAD 5836/26APR. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' 

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