Red crosses daubed on Jewish houses in Stamford Hill
Local police tell shocked residents 'it's likely that a local man who is well known to residents and suffers with mental ill health is responsible'
Police are investigating after red crosses were daubed on houses of Jewish residents in Stamford Hill.
In disturbing images shared by neighbourhood watch group Shomrim, the vandalism can be seen next to mezuzahs – parchment that adorns the entrance to Jewish homes.
Hackney Police responded to Shomrim on Twitter, saying: “Officers have spoken to the residents of these properties. We understand it’s likely that a local man who is well known to residents and suffers with mental ill health may be responsible.
“Local officers are aware and will ensure the matter is addressed appropriately.”
Shomrim, who called it a “hate crime” and “antisemitism”, claimed the perpetrator “appears to have used blood”.
It said the incident took place on Portland Avenue, N16 at 2am.
The group’s president, Rabbi Hershel Gluck, told Mail Online: ‘This attack bears similarities and invokes comparisons with actions by the KKK.”
#HateCrime #Antisemitism
Portland Avenue #N16 2am,
several #Jewish houses had crosses daubed onto their homes, offender appears to have used blood! @MPSHackney investigating
CAD 5149 10/01/21 pic.twitter.com/Mvc1DZHxKZ— Shomrim (Stamford Hill) (@Shomrim) January 10, 2021
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.