(JP Updates)
The Metropolitan Police in London arrested two men on Sunday night in connection with two separate anti-Semitic incidents that took place in the Stamford Hill section of Hackney, police said.
The suspect approached an elderly Jewish man at Gilda Crescent around 8:45 p.m., grabbing the man’s religious hat off the Jewish man’s head and putting it onto his head while laughing. The suspect ran up to other Jewish men, punching one of them, and trying to grab their hats. Shomrim responded to the scene and held the suspect until police arrived.
Police said they arrested a 25-year-old man, who is being held at a north London police station.
#Shomrim stopped a male after grabbing religious hats and assaulting Jewish victims. Suspect arrested by @MPSHackney pic.twitter.com/nlwBl6vAeS
— Shomrim N.E. London (@Shomrim) July 10, 2016
The second incident took place at around 10:30 p.m. when the suspect yelled anti-Semitic statements at a young Jewish teenager who was walking on Manor Road. Police said they have the 23-year-old in custody at a an east London police station.
[UPDATE: A man has been charged with religiously aggravated public order and bailed to court, according to Hackney Borough Police (12/6/16)]
Meir Taub from Stamford Hill Shomrim, who was present at both incidents said: “Shomrim volunteers work tirelessly to help and protect locals, these two incidents were very unpleasant and made the victims fear for their immediate safety, I’m glad the suspects in both incidents were successfully apprehended and arrested.
#Shomrim observed male unprovokedly shouting anti-Semitic abuse at young Jewish boy. Suspect arrested by @MPSHackney pic.twitter.com/KiMejsMjOH
— Shomrim N.E. London (@Shomrim) July 10, 2016