In a deeply unsettling series of events that has shaken northwest London’s Jewish community, a 37-year-old man has been charged in connection with a string of antisemitic attacks targeting synagogues, a private residence, and a school. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Ionut-Cristian Bold, of no fixed address, was arrested on Friday, September 12, 2025, following an intensive investigation into what authorities have described as “revolting and appalling” acts committed over nearly a month.
According to the BBC and Sky News, between August 15 and September 11, 2025, seven Jewish premises in Barnet—including four synagogues and a private residence in the Golders Green area—were desecrated with a substance understood to be bodily fluids, including human waste. The attacks also included two separate incidents where liquid was thrown towards a Jewish school and over a car linked to a synagogue. The Jewish News reported that photos showed synagogue doors defaced with excrement, a detail confirmed by the Shomrim volunteer security group, which was instrumental in exposing the incidents and assisting police with the investigation.
The Metropolitan Police said the first report came in on the morning of September 3, when a synagogue was found vandalized. Over the following days, a private property was targeted on September 4, another synagogue on September 7, and a Jewish school was attacked at around 2am on September 8. Subsequent incidents included substances smeared on two more synagogues on September 2 and overnight on September 11. Police were also able to link a seventh incident on August 15, when a liquid was thrown over a car associated with a fifth synagogue.
The attacks sparked immediate outrage and fear within the local community. 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.” The Community Security Trust, a charity focused on the safety of British Jews, echoed this sentiment, calling the defilement of Jewish locations “utterly abhorrent and deeply distressing.” The Campaign Against Antisemitism added that “these repeated incidents are leaving British Jews anxious and vulnerable in their own neighbourhoods, not to mention disgusted.”
Superintendent Zubin Writer, who leads local policing in Barnet, Brent, and Harrow, stressed the seriousness with which the Metropolitan Police are treating the case. “We will always treat allegations of this nature extremely seriously and these charges follow an investigation by a team of local officers. We continue to offer support to local residents, including members of the Jewish community,” he told BBC London. The police increased their presence in Barnet, which has one of the largest Jewish populations in the UK, as investigations continued.
The suspect, Ionut-Cristian Bold, faces a total of eleven charges: six counts of racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, one count of racially or religiously aggravated harassment without violence, three counts of destroying or damaging property, and one count of having an article with intent to destroy or damage property. He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 15, 2025, as reported by Sky News and the Daily Mail.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, responsible for policing the North West Command, described the arrest as “a significant development in our investigation following substantial CCTV enquiries by officers.” He emphasized the ongoing partnership with the Jewish community, stating, “We remain in close contact with the local Jewish community as we continue to provide our support and reassurance.”
Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer security group, played a pivotal role in both the exposure and investigation of the incidents. Volunteers worked “tirelessly around the clock, analysing CCTV and carrying out covert operations,” according to a statement given to The Jewish News. The group also praised the police’s response: “This arrest is a testament to the strength of partnership between the community, Shomrim, and the police. We will continue to support those affected and ensure our community feels safe and reassured.”
Shomrim’s spokesperson did not hide the emotional toll the attacks have taken: “The desecration of another local synagogue and a children’s nursery with excrement is a vile and deliberate and premeditated act of antisemitism. This marks the eighth antisemitic incident locally in just over a week, to directly target the local Jewish community. These repeated attacks have left our community anxious, hurt, and increasingly worried.”
Police and community leaders have called on anyone with information to come forward, highlighting the importance of vigilance and community solidarity. “Anyone with information which can assist the investigation is asked to contact the Met via 101 quoting 1071/03SEP. If you wish to remain anonymous do speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111,” urged Detective Chief Superintendent Williams in MyLondon.
The incidents have reignited broader conversations about antisemitism in the UK, especially in areas with significant Jewish populations. While the Metropolitan Police have reassured the public that they are taking all necessary steps to protect the community—including increased patrols and ongoing engagement with local organizations—the sense of vulnerability remains palpable for many residents.
The attacks, described repeatedly as “revolting and appalling,” have left a mark not just on the physical premises but on the collective psyche of the community. As the case proceeds through the courts, local leaders and security groups are urging continued vigilance and unity. The partnership between law enforcement and community organizations like Shomrim has been widely credited for the swift progress in the investigation and the eventual arrest of the suspect.
For now, northwest London’s Jewish community is left to grapple with the aftermath of these hate-fueled acts, hoping that justice—and a renewed sense of safety—will soon be restored.
