Man arrested after attacks on three Jewish women including one pushing a pram

A man has been arrested after three Jewish women reported being assaulted in London, including one who was pushing a baby in a pram.

Police were called to Clapton Common in Hackney at around 1.40pm on Monday after the man was held by volunteers for the Jewish-run Shomrim neighbourhood watch group.

The 33-year-old was detained on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault and the women are believed to have sustained minor injuries. He remains in custody.

The incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, the Metropolitan Police said, and patrols have been increased in the area.

Officers also arrested the man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm in relation to a separate incident in Islington on Friday against a woman who is reportedly known to him.

“This was an alarming and distressing incident, and we are grateful to our partners in the Shomrim for detaining a suspect prior to the arrival of officers,” said Ch Insp Erica Crawshaw.

“We have launched an investigation and would ask that anyone with information that could help police, or any victims who have not yet come forward, contact us as soon as possible.

“Anti-semitic behaviour and hate crime of any kind will not be tolerated. We recognise the concern that this incident will have caused the Jewish community here in Hackney. We have increased patrols in the area and we are speaking to community leaders to provide further reassurance.”

In a post on social media, Shomrim said that they had received a call from a visibly Jewish woman who reported being “punched in the face by a middle-aged man”. Volunteers arrived on the scene “30 seconds later”, according to Shomrim, when the second assault reportedly took place in front of them.

“She was punched twice in the face, leaving significant bruising,” read the post on Instagram.

Footage from the scene shows people running after the man before he was reportedly apprehended and held until police arrive.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: “At this time, three women have reported being assaulted, including one woman who was pushing her young baby in a pram. The women are believed to have suffered minor injuries.

“The incident is being treated as a suspected anti-Semitic hate crime and officers are keen to hear from any other people who may have been assaulted.

“The suspect was subsequently further arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, in connection with an unrelated assault on a woman, who is believed to be known to him, in the Islington area on Friday, 16 October. He remains in police custody.”