18 June 2024 , 11:59
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This is the harrowing moment a man attempted to kidnap a Jewish toddler and his 12-year-old brother outside a synagogue in north London in broad daylight.
Footage shows the masked attacker, dressed in dark clothing and a baseball hat, grabbing the stroller and trying to snatch it away.
The desperate struggle between the brave boy and the suspect was captured on CCTVin Stamford Hill, which is the centre of an Ashkenazi strictly-Orthodox Jewish, and predominantly Hasidic, community.
It is yet unclear if the attack is random – but it has sent chills down the spine of parents in the area.
In the video, the boy can be seen swerving the buggy away in the seconds after, but without success.
He can be seen dragging the stroller – with his two-year-old brother still inside – in all directions in order to escape.
It was circulated on X by Shomrim, who act as London’s Jewish neighbourhood watch group.
A spokesperson for the group told Metro.co.uk that the incident happened in front of Lubavitch House Synagogue on Thursday, just before midday.
They said: ‘A 12-year-old boy, visibly Jewish and part of the Orthodox Charedi community, was walking past the synagogue while pushing a buggy with his 2-year-old sibling.
‘He was approached by a white male suspect, approximately in his 40s, who attempted to forcefully take the buggy.
‘The very brave boy resisted and did not let go of the buggy. When the boy resisted, the suspect assaulted him by pulling his payos (side curls) and throwing off his kippah (skullcap).’
It is understood that the boy’s cries for help alerted people to what was taking place and they rushed to his aid.
???? Attempted Kidnap caught on camera
— Shomrim (Stamford Hill) (@Shomrim) June 17, 2024
???? Clear CCTV footage shows the terrifying moments of the attempted kidnap of a Jewish child and baby.
???? The horrific attack on the Jewish children took place on Thursday 13th June (Shavuos) at 11:56 am outside Lubavitch House on Stamford… pic.twitter.com/QxQYf6wpBb
It is only then that the suspect finally released him, fleeing the scene on foot.
The Shomrim spokesperson said that he was apprehended by Jewish community passers-by who witnessed the incident and detained him until police arrived.
The suspect was arrested at the scene. When the police arrived, they spoke to a few witnesses who had partial information of what happened.
He added: ‘The victim, who was understandably very shaken, had run away for his life immediately after the incident.’
A Shomrim post on X said: ‘Clear CCTV footage shows the terrifying moments of the attempted kidnap of a Jewish child and baby.
‘The horrific attack on the Jewish children took place on Thursday. June 13, at 11.56am outside Lubavitch House on Stamford Hill N16.’
The incident has caused significant worry and concern within the wider Jewish community
In response to a surge in hate crimes, Shomrim have deployed marked patrol vehicles, self-funded by the community, to patrol the area.