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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Helen William

Police hunt man who made threat to ‘behead Jews’ in east London

Police are searching for a man who threatened that “Jews gonna get beheaded” on an east London street.

Metropolitan Police officers were sent to Whitechapel Road in Tower Hamlets after an online video showed the suspect making threats and slurs on Friday.

The Jewish community police force Shomrim (London North & East) said a “horrific” video on social media showed “a gentleman threatening to behead Jews and much more”.

Shomrim (London North & East) said it was “aware of the fact that the Orthodox Jewish community is exceptionally concerned about these threats”.

It said it is “working closely” with the force and hoped this might provide some reassurance to the community.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley previously warned of a growing ‘pandemic’ of antisemitism in the UK (PA)

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of this video, which was reported to police earlier on Friday afternoon.

“Officers have attended the scene and are carrying out urgent inquiries to identify the man involved.

“We understand that incidents like this cause significant concern and we take all reports incredibly seriously. Hate crime of any kind has no place in our communities.”

Earlier this month, the force announced there would be a dedicated team of 100 additional officers who would be deployed to protect London’s Jewish communities.

Since late March, there has been a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley previously said 300 extra police officers were needed across London as he warned of a growing “pandemic” of antisemitism in the UK.

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