Swastikas and other antisemitic messages raked into Hendon Golf Club bunkers

Police are investigating after antisemitic words and symbols were raked into bunkers at a golf club in north London.

The messages, which included a swastika, were found at Hendon Golf Club in the early hours of Friday 11 October, the day that coincided with the start of the Jewish holy festival of Yom Kippur.

The Met Police said staff at the club, which is in the borough of Barnet, reported the messages and damage to other property.

It added that the incident was being investigated as a racially aggravated hate crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Branch, of the North West Command Unit which covers Barnet, said: "We are aware of the shock and distress that this incident has caused, especially coming at a time when the Jewish community is celebrating Yom Kippur.

"The incident is being investigated as a racially aggravated hate crime and work is ongoing… to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for this.

"Following the incident, we have attended the golf course to support the club and have spoken to community leaders to ensure they are updated on the progress of this investigation.

"Local residents will also continue to see a visible police presence in and around key areas across our boroughs."

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The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that works to protect British Jews from antisemitism, said: "For this to occur in the heart of the Jewish community shortly before the onset of Yom Kippur is utterly disgraceful.

"We are in regular contact with the police and have urged them to thoroughly investigate this hate crime, and we ask anyone with any information about it to contact CST and the police."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan reposted a statement by Met Police on X and said: "I'm sickened by the rise in antisemitism in our city. Hate crime is a criminal offence and has no place in London."

Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky said the graffiti was "utterly appalling".

A spokesperson for the club told Sky News the offensive messages had been removed.

(c) Sky News 2024: Swastikas and other antisemitic messages raked into Hendon Golf Club bunkers