Shomrim Yields Suspects in Wave of NE London Anti-Semitic Vandalism

The Jewish volunteer police force in northeast London provided valuable assistance to the local police in the arrest of 4 suspects in a rash of anti-Semitic graffiti and vandalism which has terrorized a neighborhood of the Hackney borough of London known as Stoke Newington. The neighborhood is northeast of the center of London. The ages of those arrested are 32, 39, 40 and 43.

Anti-Semitic slogans and swastikas were graffitied onto vehicles, houses and a school. In just one night, up to 20 vehicles were vandalized. In November, over 100 car tires were slashed in an Orthodox Jewish community. Police described the attacks as "racially or religiously motivated."

The Shomrim has been monitoring the situation closely. The coordinator, Barry Bird, said the vandalism was treated as a hate crime and expressed support for the speed and seriousness with which the local police responded.

In a separate incident, early in the morning of Jan. 1, members of the Shomrim noticed a suspect in an unlocked car, attempting to steal valuables. Hackney police were called to the scene and the suspect, a 32-year-old man, was arrested. A few hours later Shomrim members learned the suspect was wanted for three previous offenses in the area.