News
New image of man wanted over vicious hate attacks
Detectives are looking for a man with a 'northern' accent
September 2, 2021 10:30
Detectives are looking for a man with a 'northern' accent
September 2, 2021 10:30Police have released a fresh image of a man they are hunting over a string of vile hate attacks on Jews in north London two weeks ago.
Detectives have also said that they believe the suspect comes from the north of England and has a Yorkshire accent.
Neither Jews nor Muslims in the area of north London where he carried out the attacks believe him to be local.
Following a review of CCTV footage officers now believe the suspect stayed at a hotel on Seven Sisters Road in Hackney between August 17 and 19.
On August 18 at 6.41pm, a 30-year-old man was struck on the head with a bottle; at 7.10pm a 14-year-old boy was attacked and suffered facial injuries; and at 8.30pm a 64-year-old was struck in the face, causing him to fall and break a bone in his foot. Two other victims are yet to contact police over further incidents, which are being treated as hate crimes.
In all cases the man is reported to have approached without warning. CCTV footage appears to show the attacker acting brazenly and spontaneously.
Detective Chief Inspector Yasmin Lalani said: “We have recovered some CCTV capturing an apparent interaction between the man and shop staff in Seven Sisters Road which appears to indicate that the man may speak with a Northern accent — possibly Yorkshire.” Police have urged communities in the North to contact them if they recognise the man.
Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE, president of Shomrim North and East London, said: “Shomrim is working flat-out to facilitate the arrest of the perpetrator of the recent spate of antisemitic attacks.
“This is in addition to our ongoing efforts, B’Ezras Hashem, to enhance the security of all people in our neighbourhood with extra patrols and measures to deter such incidents in the future.
“The Muslim community in Hackney stands together with the Jewish community.” Anyone who wishes to contact the police with information can call 101 quoting reference 4492/20AUG.