Police are hunting a man suspected of hurling abuse and pelting chicken bones at a Rabbi in an unprovoked antisemitic attack in north London.
In a video shared online by the neighbourhood watch group Shomrim, a Jewish man, 77, wearing a fedora hat and black jacket is seen entering a Boots in Stamford Hill, Hackney on Friday, September 19.
The Rabbi, whose name has not been released by police, was then accosted by a man in a grey tracksuit who threw chicken bones from a takeaway box at him.
He then walks towards Clapton Common, before turning back and throwing more food and packaging at the Rabbi.
Shomrim — which provides assistance to Jewish communities, as well as Scotland Yard, in Barnet and Hackney — said they are currently supporting the Rabbi who was left “shaken and traumatised” by the incident.
The matter is now under investigation by specialist hate-crime detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Hackney division, Shomrim wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Met on 101, quoting crime reference 01/7990442/25.
It comes as antisemitic incidents continue to plague London amid Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza following the massacre of October 7, 2023.
The Community Security Trust, which monitors antisemitism in Britain, said there were a total of 1,521 antisemitic incidents across the UK in the first half of this year, with half occurring in London.
There were 774 antisemitic incidents recorded by the CST in the capital, a drop of 26 per cent over the same timeframe in 2024.
A Met spokesman told The Standard: “Police have launched an investigation into a hate crime which is alleged to have taken place in Stamford Hill.
“Officers received a report from the Shomrim on Friday, 19 September about an assault alleged to have taken place in Stamford Hill High Street.
“It was reported that on Thursday, September 19 at 9.45pm a man shouted antisemitic abuse, and threw chicken bones at a man in his 70s.
“Enquiries continue including close liaison with the Shomrim and examination of online video footage.
“The victim is being supported by officers. No arrests have been made at this time.
“Anyone with information is urged to contact police via 101 quoting CAD:2172/19SEP or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
