Thugs yelled 'Heil Hitler' as they threw missiles at Jewish group
GANG of racist thugs was being hunted by police yesterday after Jewish shoppers were bombarded with gas canisters and told: “Hitler is on the way.”
The men shouted at the victims and shouted 'Heil Hitler' repeatedly
Horrified eyewitnesses said a woman and two men were pelted with the small metal objects and subjected to a “disgusting” tirade of abuse at a shopping centre, in Tottenham, north London.
The missiles were thrown by three men in a white pick-up truck which then roared off as one of the victims tried to note down the vehicle’s number plate.
Neighbourhood watch group Shomrim said the men also repeatedly shouted “Heil Hitler” at the shoppers.
The victims, who were wearing traditional religious clothes, were left badly shaken but not thought to be hurt.
The victims were wearing traditional Jewish attire
The abuse occurred at the Tottenham Hale Retail Park
The verbal abuse was disgusting
Shomrim volunteer Michael Blayer said: “This is appalling. The victims were innocent shoppers at the Tottenham Hale Retail Park and targeted because they were visibly Jewish.
“The verbal abuse was disgusting and small objects were thrown, making them fear for their immediate safety.
“The incident has been reported to the Metropolitan Police. I have absolute confidence that this will be thoroughly investigated.”
Small gas canisters were thrown at the victims
The attack happened at 7.45pm on Wednesday. Jonathan Sacerdoti, of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “This incident is a reminder of the abuse many Jewish people experience all too often.
"It is vital victims report all incidents whenever they happen, and that the police take every report seriously, investigating and charging those responsible wherever possible.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called by a male who alleged he was the victim of an anti-Semitic remark.”
The incident comes as new figures show a 60 per cent rise in anti-Semitic attacks in the past year. A total of 483 incidents against Jewish people and properties in London were committed in the year to November 2015.