Hate crimes confirmed at Jewish schools as cops hunt red paint throwing vandal

16 October 2023 , 16:51

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Hate crimes confirmed at Jewish schools as cops hunt red paint throwing vandal

Two hate crimes at Jewish primary schools in Stamford Hill are being investigated by the police after red paint was splashed over doors, gates and windows.

CCTV footage taken on Thursday, October 12, shows a person wearing a coat, trousers and trainers approaching a school in Lordship Road, Stamford Hill. Holding an umbrella and plastic bag in one hand, they use the other to chuck a tin of paint over a door and onto the floor.

The suspect, whose face is fully covered, then walks away from the scene. The clip, taken around 5.50am, was shared onto social media with the caption: "Stamford Hill Jewish primary school's splattered in red paint."

Stamford Hill Shomrim - a neighbourhood watch group - later tweeted photographs of the incident showing paint spattered onto the front gates of a school. The tweet read: "Jewish schools in Stamford Hill have been targeted, vandalised with red paint on front doors & gates amidst ongoing international conflicts. We condemn these acts of Hate & intimidation.

"In response, @Shomrim is escalating its patrols & collaborating with MPS Hackney and local authorities to enhance the safety of our community. We're advocating for an increased police presence & reassurance patrols."

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A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that two separate incidents had taken place at Jewish schools in the capital, and were being treated as hate crimes. They said: "At 9am on Monday 16 October officers attended a school on Lordship Road, N16 after reports that red paint had been thrown onto the school building.

"Police attended the scene, and spoke to a member of staff at the school. Police were told that the incident took place on Thursday 12 October at 06:51hrs. Police are aware of a second incident at a school in Woodberry Down N4, in which paint was also thrown onto the school building.

CCTV footage taken on Thursday, October 12 (instamfordhill/Twitter)

"We are investigating whether these two incidents are linked. The incidents are being treated as hate crimes, at this early stage there have been no arrests, and the investigation is ongoing." Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets added: "We have had extra police patrols in the area since the attacks in Israel to provide reassurance.

"We are working closely with our partners in the Community Security Trust, the Shomrim, Hackney Council and other key local partners. These incidents will be robustly investigated and we have been clear that we have a zero tolerance for hate crime."

Anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting reference number CAD5621/15OCT23 (Lordship Road) or CAD 4143/16OCT23 (Woodbury Down).

Matt Clemenson