Police have arrested a man after reports that he shouted in Arabic outside Jewish-owned businesses and attempted to assault passers-by in Golders Green on Sunday afternoon.
Officers responded to the incident at around 5:30pm in Golders Green Road, following reports of a man “acting irrationally in the street” and specifically “shouting in Arabic outside Jewish-owned businesses.”
Witnesses claimed that he was attempting to punch pedestrians and shoppers as they passed the outlets.
Local residents assisted police by helping search the area, which led to the man’s arrest.
In a statement, Barnet Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man had been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.
“We are not searching for anyone else in relation to the incident,” a spokesperson for the force said.
“So far, there have been no reports of any injuries. The incident is being treated as a potential hate crime.”
Authorities have reassured the public that no other individuals are being sought in connection with the incident.
It comes after hate crime was placed under scrutiny as MPs shared concerns over the decision to charge a man with public order offences over the burning of a Quran outside the Turkish consulate in London.
Hamit Coskun, 50, was charged with “intent to cause against religious institution of Islam, harassment, alarm or distress”.
But Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick wrote on X that the decision risks creating a “blasphemy law by the back door”.
He was joined in his criticism by representatives from across the political spectrum, including Reform MP Rupert Lowe and former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron.
