A 33-year-old man has been arrested following an attack on three Jewish women in north-east London on Monday afternoon, according to the Metropolitan Police. One of the victims was pushing a baby in a pram at the time of the assault.
The incident took place in the Clapton Common area of Hackney shortly before 2pm on Monday. Members of Shomrim, a Jewish neighbourhood watch organisation, detained the suspect before officers arrived at the scene at approximately 13:40 BST, according to BBC News – UK.
The Metropolitan Police arrested the man on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault. All three women are believed to have sustained minor injuries during the attack.
Separate assault linked to suspect
The suspect has since been arrested on additional charges in connection with a separate incident. Police said the man now faces further arrest on suspicion of grievous bodily harm relating to an assault in Islington on Friday. He remains in police custody.
Chief Inspector Erica Crawshaw described the Hackney attack as “an alarming and distressing incident” and expressed gratitude to Shomrim volunteers for their intervention. “We recognise the concern that this incident will have caused the Jewish community here in Hackney,” she said.
The force confirmed it is treating the case as a suspected antisemitic hate crime and has deployed increased patrols in the area. Officers are also engaging with community leaders to provide reassurance to residents.
Appeal for witnesses and victims
The Metropolitan Police has appealed for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Authorities are also urging anyone else who believes they may have been assaulted to contact the force.
Shomrim operates as a volunteer-run neighbourhood watch scheme serving Jewish communities in several London boroughs, including Hackney, which has a significant Jewish population. The organisation works closely with the Metropolitan Police and has been credited with assisting in numerous arrests.
What this means for Poles in the UK
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of hate crime in London, which affects multiple communities including Polish residents. If you witness or experience a hate crime – whether motivated by race, religion, nationality or another protected characteristic – you should report it to the Metropolitan Police by calling 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in an emergency.
Hate crimes can include physical assault, verbal abuse, damage to property or online harassment targeting someone because of their identity. You can also report hate crimes through True Vision, an online reporting service, at report-it.org.uk. Many Polish community organisations in the UK also offer support and guidance on reporting such incidents.
If you feel unsafe in your neighbourhood, you can request increased police patrols or contact local community safety teams through your borough council. Polish residents with information about this specific case can contact the Metropolitan Police or provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
