'Despicable' Hampstead hate crime as paint thrown over High Street building

Anna Willis

2 November 2024 at 11:51 am·2-min read

Hampstead High Street — -Credit: (Image: Google Maps)

The Metropolitan Police are investigating a suspected hate crime after red paint was thrown over a building in Hampstead this morning (Saturday, November 2). At around 9.30am, police were called to the High Street in Hampstead after receiving reports that paint had been thrown over the front of a building.

The incident is being treated as a hate crime, Camden MPS has said in a statement on X. According to journalist Sabrina Miller, posting on X, the building was home to a Jewish charity. She also shared a photo of the vandalised property, which showed the entrance to Hillsdown House covered and dripping in red paint.

She also shared a photo of a second building, on Church Road in Hendon, which has also been vandalised. MP for Hendon David Pinto-Duschinsky said on X: "Just seen about the daubing of buildings housing Jewish charities in Hendon.

"Absolutely and completely unacceptable. I will not tolerate this despicable hatred. I have reported the incident to the @CST_UK and the Met Police and I hope they pursue this to the full extent of the law."

Camden MPS has said in a statement regarding the vandalism in Hampstead: "At 9.29am on Saturday, November 2 we received a report of criminal damage after paint was thrown over a business premises in High Street, Hampstead.

"Officers are on scene and an investigation is underway including collecting CCTV from the area. Specialist forensics officers will also be attending the location. This incident is being treated as a hate crime."

Detective chief inspector Paul Ridley said: "I know that incidents like this cause significant concern in the community. I want to offer my full reassurance that this incident will be robustly investigated. We have been clear that we have a zero tolerance for hate crime."

Regarding the incident in Hendon, the Metropolitan Police have said: "Police became aware of criminal damage to a building on Church Street, Hendon at around 11:05am on Saturday, November 2. As soon as officers became aware of the incident, officers were deployed to the scene and an investigation was launched.

"This includes interviewing witnesses and collecting CCTV from the area. This incident is being treated as a hate crime."

Chief Inspector Chris Dookie said: “We have immediately launched an investigation and increased patrols, including an extra CCTV van, in the area to provide extra community reassurance in light of this matter. I do not underestimate the impact incidents like this can have on the community and I want to reiterate the Met’s zero tolerance for hate crime. I want to offer my full reassurance that a thorough investigation is underway.”

Got a story for us? Email anna.willis@reachplc.com.

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