A 17-year-old scout who shouted antisemitic abuse at a Remembrance Day ceremony has been cautioned by police.
The youth shouted: “Here come the Jews, let’s kill the Jews” during a march-past by hundreds of ex-soldiers, including a contingent of the Association of Jewish Ex-servicemen and Women in Romford, Essex, on November 8. After widespread shock and condemnation of his actions, the youth came forward.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “A 17-year-old male youth attended an east London police station by appointment on November 13 and was arrested in connection with this investigation. He was later given a final warning for racially aggravated section 4a Public Order Act and released from custody.”
That section of the Public Order Act 1986 concerns a person who “uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour”.
A Met Police spokeswoman explained that there are graded levels to the offence, so the first level would be a reprimand, then a final warning. The seriousness of this offence meant the teenager was given a final warning.
The police will also ensure that he makes a formal apology to the Rev Lee Sunderland, minister of Romford and District Synagogue, who was present at the ceremony.
Rev Sunderland said: “We are very pleased at the outcome and hope he will learn from all of this. I expect this will be done in the next couple of weeks.”
Meanwhile a cross bearing the name Adolf Hitler has been discovered in a memorial garden for former soldiers in Borehamwood.
The cross had been placed among those bearing the names of former servicemen who were not killed in battle but who have died since. It has been removed and destroyed.
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