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Police drop sex abuse probe against London rabbi after officers fail to talk to his alleged victim
The Metropolitan Police launched its inquiry into allegations against Rabbi Chaim Halpern last year
January 31, 2023 14:45
The Metropolitan Police launched its inquiry into allegations against Rabbi Chaim Halpern last year
January 31, 2023 14:45A police investigation into historic sexual assault claims against a north London rabbi has been closed after detectives failed to make contact with his alleged victim.
The Metropolitan Police launched its inquiry into allegations against Rabbi Chaim Halpern, head of the Divrei Chaim Synagogue in Golders Green, last December after a woman claimed he touched her inappropriately during a spiritual guidance session.
The 21-year-old woman claimed Rabbi Halpern, 64, also continually telephoned her trying to persuade her to have sex with him.
She made the claims in an interview with Israeli TV’s Channel 12 in November and also in a further interview with the JC.
According to a therapist treating the young woman in Israel, where she now lives, she had recorded many hours of calls she received from the rabbi, providing further evidence of inappropriate behaviour by the rabbi.
However, the police have now said its inquiry has been closed after officers failed to make contact with the woman making the claims.
A spokesperson said: "In December 2022, the Met was made aware of an interview broadcast on an Israeli television channel in which an unnamed woman, who appeared anonymously, alleged she had been the victim of non-recent sexual offences that are said to have taken place in London.
"Detectives from the North West Command Unit opened an investigation. As part of their enquiries they reviewed the interview and the related material broadcast alongside it. They contacted the television channel that conducted the interview in Israel in an effort to make contact with the woman and confirm her identity.
"To date, these efforts have been unsuccessful. It is not possible to progress an investigation of this nature without officers being able to identify and speak to a complainant. They cannot rely solely on anonymous or third-party testimony and for that reason the investigation has been closed.
"Should new information emerge, officers would of course consider it carefully.
"We take allegations of sexual offences seriously and recognise the courage that it takes for victims to come forward.
"We would urge women who have been the subject of assault or abuse of any kind to speak to us. You will be listened to and taken seriously, your identity will be protected and specialist officers will be there to support you through the investigation and any subsequent judicial process.”
Rabbi Halpern’s lawyer, David Sonn, said following the Met Police announcement that it has now closed its investigation: “The rabbi has no comment.”