The police and the Community Security Trust (CST) are investigating “appalling antisemitic slogans and symbols” at a golf course in Hendon, which was daubed with “Heil Hitler” and swastikas in the early hours of Friday morning.
The Nazi-era words and signs were drawn into the sand at Hendon Golf Club and police also reported damage to signs and property at the club. Videos shared on social media showed a swastika and the words "f*** the Jews" and "Heil Hitler" in the sand.
News of the incident at the golf club spread on Friday, in the hours leading up to Erev Yom Kippur.
In a statement to the JC, the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at approximately 08:45 on Friday, October 11 after a member of staff at a golf club in Devonshire Road, N7 reported offensive and antisemitic messages had been raked into bunkers on the course.
“There was also damage caused to signs and property at the club.
“The incident is being investigated as a racially aggravated hate crime.”
There have been no arrests and the Met appealed for anyone with information to contact them.
Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Branch of the North West Command Unit which covers Barnet said: “We are aware of the shock and distress that this incident has caused, especially coming at a time when the Jewish community is celebrating Yom Kippur.
“Following the incident, we have attended the golf course to support the club and have spoken to community leaders to ensure they are updated on the progress of this investigation. Local residents will also continue to see a visible police presence in and around key areas across our boroughs.
“We take all incidents of hate crime extremely seriously and I would urge anyone with information that could assist us in this investigation to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD1690/11Oct. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
CST said of the incident: “CST is aware of appalling antisemitic slogans and symbols discovered at Hendon Golf Club on Friday morning.
“For this to occur in the heart of the Jewish community shortly before the onset of Yom Kippur is utterly disgraceful. We are in regular contact with the police and have urged them to thoroughly investigate this hate crime, and we ask anyone with any information about it to contact CST and the police.
In a statement, Hendon Golf Club said: “In the early hours of Friday, October 11 2024, Hendon Golf Club was the victim of race related vandalism. Antisemitic wording and symbols were drawn in a number of the bunkers.
“These have now been removed, the police and Community Security Trust (CST) have been informed and the matter is now in their hands.”
Local MP, David Pinto-Duschinsky, said, “I am aware of the disgusting antisemitic message/graffiti that was left at Hendon Golf Club.
“It’s utterly appalling. I’ve reported it to the police and the CST and will be talking to the club. It’s completely unacceptable. I want the people who did this caught and punished”.
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Victims’ Commissioner London, Claire Waxman, said of the indecent: “It is utterly appalling and the perpetrators should feel the full force of the law.”
Hendon is home to a large Jewish population – in 2020, it was reported that Jews made up 17 per cent of the population.
The golf club recently hosted Chabad Mill Hill for their Rosh Hashanah service and dinner.
