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Two arrested over Hampstead antisemitic graffiti
Suspects have no known connection to far-right
May 16, 2020 12:42
Suspects have no known connection to far-right
May 16, 2020 12:42Police have arrested two people in connection with the antisemitic graffiti daubed across at least eight locations in Hampstead and Belsize Park last December.
In a statement, the Met Police confirmed they had arrested a 26-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman on Thursday May 14 on suspicion of committing a racially motivated hate crime.
They were released from custody on bail to return on a date in late May.
The Community Security Trust (CST) confirmed that the arrests were made after acting on information provided to them by the communal organisation.
The Star of David and the words "9/11" were spray-painted on several buildings - including South Hampstead Synagogue and a former Israeli cafe on Rosslyn Hill - in what police said was a racially motivated crime that took place during the Chanukah festival.
Following the incidents on the night of December 28, there were claims that they had been carried out by individuals with connections to far-right neo-Nazi organisations.
Sources have told the JC that the two people arrested do not appear to have any connection with the far-right.
The 9/11 graffiti sprayed on several locations was taken to be a reference to the conspiracy theory that Jews were responsible for the 9/11 terror attack.
This story was edited on May 18 to include the statement from the police
The CST confirmed the arrests by tweeting: "We are very pleased the CST's information has helped the police made two arrests regarding the disgraceful 9/11 antisemitic graffiti in Hampstead and Belsize Park late Dec 2019."
The JC has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.
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