Police are searching for a man who threatened that “Jews gonna get beheaded” on a street in east London.
Metropolitan Police officers were dispatched to Whitechapel Road in Tower Hamlets after an online video surfaced on Friday showing the suspect making threats and anti-Semitic slurs.
The Jewish community police force Shomrim (London North & East) described the video as “horrific,” stating it showed “a gentleman threatening to behead Jews and much more.”
Shomrim noted that “the Orthodox Jewish community is exceptionally concerned about these threats” and said it is “working closely” with the police, hoping this cooperation provides some reassurance.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of this video, which was reported to police earlier on Friday afternoon. Officers have attended the scene and are carrying out urgent inquiries to identify the man involved. We understand that incidents like this cause significant concern and we take all reports incredibly seriously. Hate crime of any kind has no place in our communities.”
Earlier this month, the force announced a dedicated team of 100 additional officers would be deployed to protect London’s Jewish communities. This follows a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London since late March.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley previously warned of a growing “pandemic” of antisemitism in the UK and said 300 extra police officers were needed across London.
