Northwest London has been rocked by a string of antisemitic attacks that have left the local Jewish community shaken and authorities vowing swift justice. Over the course of a week in early September 2025, four synagogues and several other Jewish premises were targeted in what police have described as "revolting and appalling" acts of vandalism.
On Friday, September 12, 2025, Metropolitan Police arrested Ionut-Cristian Bold, a 37-year-old man of no fixed address, in the Hendon area of north London. Bold now faces a litany of charges, including six counts of racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, three counts of damaging property, and one count of racially or religiously aggravated harassment without violence. He has also been charged with having an article with intent to destroy or damage property, according to multiple reports from BBC, Sky News, Reuters, and The Times of Israel.
The attacks, which occurred between September 4 and September 11, 2025, specifically targeted four synagogues and a private residence in the Golders Green neighborhood, a well-known center of Jewish life in London. The nature of the attacks has provoked particular outrage: the buildings were smeared with feces, and in separate incidents, urine was thrown towards a Jewish school and over a car.
Superintendent Zubin Writer, who leads local policing in the Barnet, Brent, and Harrow boroughs, addressed the community’s concerns directly. "We will always treat allegations of this nature extremely seriously and these charges follow an investigation by a team of local officers," Writer stated, as reported by BBC and Sky News. "We continue to offer support to local residents, including members of the Jewish community."
The incidents have not only shocked the local community but have also drawn condemnation from civic leaders. Barry Rawlings, leader of Barnet Council, did not mince words: "The horrendous antisemitic attacks on our synagogues and a school disgust us. We all stand united in our condemnation of such appalling acts," he declared, according to Sky News.
Shomrim North West London, a volunteer Jewish neighborhood watch group, played a crucial role in the investigation. The organization worked closely with the Metropolitan Police, gathering CCTV footage, providing intelligence, and supporting victims throughout the ordeal. Their efforts were instrumental in the swift apprehension of the suspect. In a statement, Shomrim North West London emphasized their ongoing commitment to community safety and collaboration with law enforcement.
The attacks come at a time when Britain has witnessed a disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents. According to the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that has monitored antisemitism in Britain since 1984, 2024 was the country’s second worst year on record for antisemitic incidents, with more than 3,500 cases reported. Although the first half of 2025 saw a slight decrease, with 1,521 incidents recorded, the CST cautions that this figure is still the second-highest ever for a six-month period. The spike in antisemitic acts has been particularly pronounced since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza, as noted by Reuters and The Times of Israel.
The details of the attacks in Golders Green are especially unsettling. The use of bodily fluids—feces smeared on synagogue doors and urine thrown at a school—has been universally condemned. Police have not hesitated to call these actions "revolting and appalling," a sentiment echoed by nearly everyone involved in the case. The targeting of religious institutions and schools is a stark reminder of the vulnerability many minority communities feel in the face of hate crimes.
Bold’s arrest and subsequent charges mark a significant development in the investigation. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Monday, September 15, 2025, where he will enter his plea. Authorities have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing, with continued support for those affected.
For many in the Jewish community, the attacks have revived painful memories and underscored persistent concerns about safety. The rise in hate crimes since 2023 has not gone unnoticed. The CST’s ongoing monitoring and the visible presence of groups like Shomrim have become an integral part of daily life for many British Jews, particularly in areas like Golders Green where Jewish culture and religious practice are highly visible.
Community leaders and law enforcement have responded with a unified front. Superintendent Writer’s assurance that such crimes will always be treated with the utmost seriousness has provided some comfort, but there is a widespread recognition that more needs to be done to address the underlying causes of antisemitism and to ensure the safety of all communities. The involvement of local government, as exemplified by Barry Rawlings’ strong condemnation, signals a broader commitment to zero tolerance for hate crimes in London’s diverse neighborhoods.
As the legal process unfolds, many are watching closely to see how the courts will respond. The charges against Bold are severe, reflecting the gravity with which authorities view racially and religiously aggravated offenses. The case has also sparked renewed calls for education and outreach to counter prejudice and to foster greater understanding across communities.
In the meantime, the affected synagogues, schools, and families in Golders Green are left to recover from the emotional and psychological impact of the attacks. Support services, including counseling and security advice, have been made available, and community solidarity events are being planned to demonstrate resilience in the face of hatred.
While the immediate threat appears to have been addressed with the arrest of Bold, the broader challenge of combating antisemitism remains. The events of early September serve as a stark reminder that vigilance, cooperation, and swift action are essential to protecting vulnerable communities and upholding the values of tolerance and respect that underpin British society.
The case will proceed at Willesden Magistrates' Court, where the community—and the nation—will be watching for justice to be served.
