Community
Double break-in at Jewish mental health charity and café
Head Room in Golders Green targeted by thieves
February 19, 2024 17:32
Head Room in Golders Green targeted by thieves
February 19, 2024 17:32A café on Golders Green Road was targeted by criminals twice this weekend, but the incidents are not being treated as a hate crime.
On Friday night, thieves broke in and entered Head Room social enterprise and café. They smashed a window and stole the cash register, along with the petty cash held on site.
The café was targeted for a second time on Saturday night. Criminals broke a different window and entered the site but did not take anything — the Friday night thieves had already stolen the till.
The café is run by Jewish mental health charity Jami and provides mental health support, education and a safe space, as well as a daily menu.
It was forced to close on Sunday and a mental health support session for the community had to be cancelled.
Jami director Karen Wilson, told the JC: “It’s a real shame because for the community; we are more than a café, and we had to put our work on hold over the weekend.”
However, Wilson said: “Today, the café is back up and running, doing our important work.”
Police are reportedly investigating the double break-in, but employees at the café said they had not seen any evidence that suggested the incident was a hate crime.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “On Friday, 16 February, police were called to a cafe on Golders Green Road at 23:51hrs to reports that someone had smashed through the glass door to gain entry. Upon inspection, the cash register and cash had been stolen from inside the shop.
“The following evening, police were called to reports of another person breaking in through the damaged door. Nothing was stolen on this occasion.
“The investigation continues; no arrests have been made. At this stage, the incidents are not being treated as a hate crime.”
Head Room was victim of another break-in at the end of October 2023, soon after the windows at kosher restaurant Pita were smashed in and a cash register stolen. The October incident was not treated as a hate crime.