UK Police Investigate Car Driven at Jewish Schoolboys as Religiously Aggravated Assault

Metropolitan Police are investigating an incident in which a car was driven toward three Jewish schoolboys in north London as a religiously aggravated assault. m. on April 20 in Holders Hill Road, Barnet. The 14-year-olds moved out of the way and no injuries were reported.

The father of one of the boys told the BBC that dozens of children wearing kippot were nearby and that his son was left shaken. He said the driver appeared to wait at traffic lights before seeing the visibly Jewish children and accelerating toward them.

Police confirmed the vehicle mounted the kerb where the boys were standing. The headteacher of the nearby Hasmonean High School for Boys sent a letter to parents urging witnesses to come forward. No arrests have been made. Police appealed for information quoting reference 2017/24APR.

Wednesday police announced a community protection team of 100 extra officers to safeguard the Jewish community in London. The team combines neighbourhood policing, specialist protection and counter terrorism capabilities. It will focus on providing a more visible presence amid what officials described as some of the highest levels of hate crime alongside terrorist and hostile state threats.

Metropolitan Police previously stated that 300 more officers were needed to address the rise in antisemitism across the capital. The force remains in close contact with the school. Jewish charity the Community Security Trust reported the incident to police and urged witnesses to contact both authorities and the charity.

The British government has declared antisemitism a crisis following a recent spate of violent attacks. Officials hosted a summit bringing together leaders from police, arts institutions and universities to coordinate a response. The prime minister said all of society must tackle the crisis.

Volunteer patrols such as Shomrim North West London have stepped up efforts to protect Jewish communities in response to rising incidents. One such attack occurred last week in Golders Green, where two people were later arrested in connection with an arson attack on a memorial wall.

The New Yorker reported that while the government has labeled antisemitism a crisis, questions remain about whether its proposed solutions will protect Jews or inadvertently worsen tensions. Antisemitic attacks have increased notably since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, according to multiple monitoring groups.

“While inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances, this is currently being treated as a religiously aggravated assault. We remain in close contact with the nearby school.”

Shomrim volunteers continue neighbourhood patrols in areas with large Jewish populations. Their work has become more visible as official responses develop. Police said the new protection team represents an initial phase that may expand.