Two schoolgirls have been arrested after a Jewish woman was allegedly assaulted and had her handbag stolen in Stamford Hill on Thursday (December 7).
The Metropolitan Police are treating the attack, which took place in Rostrevor Avenue at around 4.30pm, as a possible hate crime.
The 20-year-old woman was left bruised and badly shaken, though she did not need hospital treatment.
CCTV footage released by Shomrim, Stamford Hill Neighbourhood Watch on X, appears to show two attackers punching and kicking a woman and standing over her while she remains motionless on the ground.
The Jewish-run volunteer security group alleged that the attack was racially motivated.
Detective Sergeant Asli Benson, who is leading the investigation described the incident as “terrifying.”
She added: “We will continue to ensure she has the right support. Officers have been pursuing all available lines of enquiry since the incident and these arrests are a very positive development.
“It would have been obvious from her appearance that she was Jewish and there has been significant concern that she was targeted for that reason.”
DS Benson said police are “keeping an open mind” about the motive, adding: “We are treating this as a possible hate crime.”
“In the current climate, when fears and uncertainty in the wider Jewish community are heightened following the terror attacks in Israel and the subsequent rise in antisemitic hate crime here in London, these concerns are entirely understandable,” the officer added.
Detectives worked with school officers and staff, while members of the public also asked for their assistance in identifying the alleged attackers.
Two girls were arrested on suspicion of robbery, in connection with the incident, at around 12pm on Saturday at an address in Haringey and remain in custody.
