Police in Greater Manchester and London are investigating two separate antisemitic incidents that took place in recent weeks, including a BB gun attack on members of the Jewish community and an assault on a Jewish father and his young son, reports The Jerusalem Post.
Greater Manchester Police have arrested two people after a BB gun was allegedly fired from a passing vehicle at a group of Jewish community members on Monday. Three people sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Following an extensive review of CCTV footage, officers identified two suspects, who were arrested on suspicion of religiously aggravated common assault.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said threats against local communities would not be tolerated and confirmed that officers continue to maintain enhanced security measures in Jewish areas across Greater Manchester.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the arrests but argued that increased policing alone would not address the underlying problem.
The organisation said that antisemitic hatred and extremism must be confronted at their source, warning that events in the Middle East are increasingly being used to fuel hatred against Jews in Britain. It also called for swift justice and stronger political and societal leadership to tackle antisemitic and extremist ideologies.
In a separate incident, the Metropolitan Police are appealing for information following an alleged antisemitic assault on a Jewish father and his three-year-old son in Markfield Park, north London.
The attack took place at around 5.30 pm on 4 July, when a man in his twenties was assaulted while accompanied by his young son.
According to police, the suspect also made threatening remarks directed at the victims and the wider Jewish community before fleeing the scene on a red-orange electric bicycle.
Detective Constable Benny Palmer, who is leading the investigation, described the assault as a „shocking” and unprovoked attack that would understandably cause concern within the local community.
He said officers were pursuing all available lines of enquiry to identify the suspect and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Palmer added that the Metropolitan Police continue to carry out visible, intelligence-led and co-ordinated patrols aimed at protecting Jewish communities across London and helping to keep residents safe.
The two incidents come amid continuing concern over rising levels of antisemitic crime across the United Kingdom, with Jewish organisations calling for stronger action to combat hate crimes and improve community security.
Photo credit: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images
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