An investigation into a group of men spitting at a bus full of Jewish teenagers from Golders Green has been dropped.
Footage captured the incident when about 40 young Jewish people were on board a private bus passing Oxford Street as men swore, made obscene gestures and threw a shopping basket at them.
Shneor Glitsenstein, director of the Chabad Israeli Centre Golders Green, was on the Chanukah party's bus on November 29 last year.
Video has emerged of a group of men spitting at a bus full of Jewish teenagers in Oxford Street where the group were celebrating the first night of Chanukah. pic.twitter.com/orOrA9kJEu
— The Jewish Chronicle (@JewishChron) December 1, 2021
The Metropolitan Police launched an appeal to identify those involved after the video was widely shared on social media.
But the force confirmed this month that the antisemitic case was closed in July after no progress was made.
READ MORE: Golders Green Jews on bus attacked in London describe 'shock and anger'
In a statement, the Met said: “The bus left the scene of the incident to avoid further confrontation and officers met it nearby. The suspects had also left the area and could not be located.
“Video footage of the incident was shared on social media and we issued an appeal for anyone who recognised those involved to come forward. Two further appeals were issued which included photographs to help with identification.
“The only names provided in response to those appeals have been eliminated from our enquiries. The identity of those involved is still unknown.”
The Met added that hate crime is “unacceptable” and that further investigations would be carried out if new information comes to light.
Now the Jewish News and Jewish Chronicle have partnered with the Campaign Against Antisemitism to offer a £30,000 reward for information that could lead to the conviction of any suspects.
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Despite the video going viral and all the resources at its disposal, the Metropolitan Police Service failed to make any arrests and quietly closed the investigation in July.
“If even high-profile hate crimes such as these are not solved and the perpetrators brought to justice, what hope do the many other antisemitic crimes against Jews have of being satisfactorily investigated?”
Anyone with information is asked to contact investigations@antisemitism.org or call 0330 822 0321.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel