UK
Man arrested after Jewish boy shot with an air rifle in Bournemouth
The victim, a teenager, was shot in the forehead last month
September 1, 2025 16:12
The victim, a teenager, was shot in the forehead last month
September 1, 2025 16:12Police have arrested a 26-year-old man in relation to the shooting of a Jewish boy with an air rifle on Saturday 23 August.
The teenage victim, who was walking to synagogue in the East Cliff area of Bournemouth, was shot by someone in a passing car, sustaining a superficial injury to his forehead. The suspect is alleged to have shouted obscenities before firing the weapon.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Jenkins of Dorset Police, said: “We have been carrying out extensive enquiries as part of our investigation and have now made an arrest in connection with the incident.
“We understand the concern that this incident has caused to members of the community and we are continuing to liaise with them to provide updates and reassurance.
“We are also continuing to support and update the victims with the progress of the investigation.”
The attack was one of a number of antisemitic incidents to occur in Bournemouth over the August bank holiday weekend, including several swastikas appearing on homes with mezuzot.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Rabbi Alan Lewis of the Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation, said: “The young man who was shot is a religious Jew who was wearing a skull cap. It was very obvious he was Jewish.
“Then several people living on Manor Road woke up to find that swastikas had been painted on their homes. The homes had a mezuzah outside, so it was obvious that Jewish people lived there.”
Rabbi Alperowitz, who helps run Chabad Bournemouth, was one of the people to wake up on Shabbat morning to find a swastika on his house.
In a video he posted on social media the next day, the rabbi said: “We will continue to live as proud Jews here in Bournemouth. I will continue to walk around in Bournemouth together with my kippah on my head. The mezuzah will remain in front of our door.
“I want to encourage everyone to do exactly the same. Be proud of who you are, be proud to be Jewish, and never allow these forces of darkness and forces of evil to instill fear into our hearts.”
Commenting at the time, CST said: “CST is appalled by a series of anti-Jewish hate crimes in Bournemouth over the weekend. These are abhorrent acts of racism that are deeply distressing for the Jewish community and should alarm everybody. We are supporting the local Jewish community and working with @dorsetpolice to assist their investigation.”
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