Monday should have been another routine commute for three Jewish boys on the London Underground. Instead, they found themselves surrounded by a hostile group of six to seven men at Hampstead station, in an attack that would send one teenager to hospital and send fresh shockwaves through Britain’s already anxious Jewish community.
Around 8:30pm, what began as verbal confrontation quickly escalated into something far more sinister. Knife threats were made, and by the time emergency services arrived, one young victim needed medical attention serious enough to warrant hospital observation.
“Shomrim NW London responded to reports of a racially motivated assault and threats with a knife on three Jewish boys at Hampstead Underground Station,” the Jewish community security organization said in a statement. “Suspects are believed to be a group of six or seven males.”
Community Security Trust, which monitors antisemitic incidents, said it was “aware of the appalling racist assault” and has been working directly with one victim’s family. Police are now hunting for the suspects, with multiple agencies coordinating the search.
“Officers were called to Hampstead Underground station at around 8.30pm yesterday following reports of racially aggravated assault and robbery. Enquiries are ongoing,” a British Transport Police spokesperson confirmed to Jewish News.
For residents of Hampstead, this week’s violence struck at the heart of what has long been considered a safe haven for Jewish life in London. With 11% of the ward identifying as Jewish, Hampstead represents one of Britain’s most established Jewish communities, where historic synagogues and kosher shops line familiar streets that many thought were immune to such brazen attacks.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, Britain recorded 3,528 antisemitic incidents in 2024 alone, making it the second-worst year on record and leaving nearly half of its Jewish citizens questioning whether to leave the country.
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