Police have arrested a man after three Jewish women, one pushing a baby in a pram, reported being assaulted in north east London.
Members of Shomrim detained the suspect until police got to Upper Clapton Road, Stamford Hill, Hackney, on Monday afternoon.
Officers arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault.
The women are believed to have suffered minor injuries.
The Metropolitan Police said it was treating the incident as a suspected antisemitic hate crime and had increased patrols in the area.
Shomrim, the volunteer neighbourhood watch group, published a video of one of the alleged assaults.
Shomrim said in a statement: “Shomrim received a call from a visibly Jewish lady, reported being punched in the face by a middle-aged male on Clapton Common, E5.
“Shomrim volunteers arrived on scene 30 seconds later to witness a second vicious assault on another Jewish lady. She was punched twice in the face, leaving significant bruising.
“Police arrested the male for racially aggravated GBH, as well as for outstanding warrants.
“The victims told Shomrim that they believe they were assaulted because they were Jewish, as the offender only targeted Jewish ladies.”
Shomrim said it had received reports of “further assaults…. with additional victims yet to come forward”.
The group appealed for witnesses “or any further victims” to come forward.
The Metropolitan Police said:” Police were called at around 13:40hrs on Monday, October 19 to reports that a man had been detained by Shomrim after assaulting three Jewish women in the Clapton Common area.
“Officers attended within minutes and arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of racially-aggravated common assault.
“At this time, three women have reported being assaulted, including one woman who was pushing her young baby in a pram.
"The women are believed to have suffered minor injuries. The incident is being treated as a suspected antisemitic hate crime and officers are keen to hear from any other people who may have been assaulted.
“The suspect was subsequently further arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, in connection with an unrelated assault on a woman who is believed to be known to him in the Islington area on Friday, 16 October. He remains in police custody."
Chief Inspector Erica Crawshaw of the Metropolitan Police said: “This was an alarming and distressing incident and we are grateful to our partners in the Shomrim for detaining a suspect prior to the arrival of officers.
“We have launched an investigation and would ask that anyone with information that could help police, or any victims who have not yet come forward, contact us as soon as possible.
“Antisemitic behaviour and hate crime of any kind will not be tolerated.
“We recognise the concern that this incident will have caused the Jewish community here in Hackney. We have increased patrols in the area and we are speaking to community leaders to provide further reassurance.”
The Met has appealed for anyone with information, or anyone else who believes they may have been assaulted, to come forward.
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, posted a statement on X saying: “No one should face abuse or violence because of their faith.
“Following these despicable assaults in Stamford Hill, I want to reassure our Jewish communities that police have made an arrest, are investigating and have increased patrols.
“Anyone with information should contact the police immediately.”
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