Assault and Robbery in Haringey
A distressing incident unfolded in Haringey as two teenage girls were arrested after assaulting and robbing a 20-year-old Jewish woman.
The victim, visibly bruised but not requiring hospitalization, became the target of a terrifying attack on Thursday around 4:30 pm.
Online Footage Circulates
The attack drew attention when footage surfaced online, shared by the neighborhood watch group Shomrim.
The video captured the victim walking along a path, followed by the two teenagers. One of them can be seen striking her around the head before both assailants repeatedly hit and forcibly grabbed her. The attackers then proceeded to take her belongings as onlookers checked on the victim.
Swift Police Response
In response to the alarming incident, officers arrested two girls aged 13 and 14 on suspicion of robbery. The arrest took place at an address in Haringey, where the suspects remain in custody.
The police, utilizing CCTV images near the scene, collaborated with school officers and staff to confirm the identity of the girls, who appeared to be wearing school uniform in the footage.
Concerns of Targeted Hate Crime
The victim, belonging to the orthodox Jewish community, raised concerns of being targeted due to her appearance.
Detectives are exploring the possibility of a hate crime, considering the heightened fears and uncertainty in the Jewish community following recent terror attacks in Israel and a subsequent rise in antisemitic hate crimes in London.
Continued Support for the Victim
Detective Sergeant Asli Benson, leading the investigation, emphasized the support for the young woman who endured a terrifying attack.
The authorities are keeping an open mind about the motive behind the incident but are treating it as a potential hate crime. Any information that could assist the investigation is encouraged to be shared with the police or the independent charity Crimestoppers.
