Anti-Semitic attacks increase in Barnet

Shock figures released by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) show that anti-Semitic crimes increased by over half in 2018. In 2017, there were 126 crimes recorded in Barnet, but last year the figure went up to 194, an increase of 54%.

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore said:

‘It is alarming that public and social media discourse on the Middle East has polarised the issue so badly that Jewish people in Britain suffer an increase in racist attacks whenever there is media coverage of the region. Perpetrators do not acknowledge the difference between Jewish people and the Government of Israel. This shows how important the work of organisations like CST and Shomrim are in keeping Jewish people safe.

‘I know the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes this very seriously, and the Barnet Police teams are well versed in how to deal with these offences. However,  there are two things that need to happen: the Government should restore the cuts they have forced on the Met Police; and there needs to be more forceful public condemnation of anti-Semitism from public figures.’

Barnet Labour Group leader Cllr Barry Rawlings added:

‘The rise in anti-Semitic attacks in Barnet last year is deeply worrying. We will continue to support the work of the Multi-Faith Forum, and local community groups to strengthen community cohesion. The work of several local synagogues to help the Somali Bravanese community after they lost their community centre in what appeared to be a racist arson attack shows how strong these bonds are. Our diversity is our strength, and Barnet’s Labour councillors will always stand against hate and bigotry, and condemn those engaged in anti-Semitic or racist crimes.’

ENDS

Notes:

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