Police are investigating after three 14-year-old Jewish schoolboys were attacked on a bus in North London, with the incident being treated as an antisemitic hate crime. The Metropolitan Police received a report at 8.16am on Thursday, September 10, after the trio were verbally assaulted on a bus around Sanders Lane, Mill Hill. Two of the boys also reported being physically assaulted.
Police launch urgent CCTV enquiry
Scotland Yard is treating the attack as an antisemitic hate crime, with officers scouring CCTV evidence to identify any suspects. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: “The Met will not tolerate antisemitism in any form and we will respond robustly to any and all offences that occur.”
Williams added: “Urgent enquiries are ongoing to trace and identify the suspect linked to this incident. The suspect is believed to be a white British man.”
Community reassurance ahead of High Holy Days
Williams emphasised the importance of protecting Jewish communities during the upcoming High Holy Days, a period of peace and celebration. “Our Jewish communities have the right to celebrate and observe the upcoming High Holy Days without fear of antisemitic hate,” he said. “During this important period of peace, we have increased our patrols in order to provide reassurance, deter those who seek to cause harm and help ensure people can come together with confidence.”
TfL condemns attack and urges witnesses to come forward
Transport for London's security chief, Siwan Hayward, described the incident as “horrific” and stressed that antisemitism on public transport will not be tolerated. “Everyone has the right to travel around London without facing discrimination, and we stand united against hate in all its forms,” she said.
Hayward confirmed TfL is supporting the police investigation. “We are supporting the police who are investigating this incident alongside the bus operator, who will supply footage from the CCTV cameras that all buses are equipped with. We encourage anyone who experienced or witnessed this incident to contact the police.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 1468/10SEP26.
