Police hunt man who made threat to ‘behead Jews’ in east London

Police are searching for a man who threatened to “behead Jews” on a street in east London.

Metropolitan Police officers were dispatched to Whitechapel Road in Tower Hamlets on Friday after an online video appeared to show the suspect making threats and insults.

Jewish community police force Shomrim (North and East London) said a “horrific” video on social media showed “a gentleman threatening to behead Jews” and much more.

Shomrim (London North and East) said it was “aware of the fact that the Orthodox Jewish community is extraordinarily concerned about these threats”.

He said he was “working closely” with the force and hoped it could provide some reassurance to the community.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We are aware of this video, which was reported to police on Friday afternoon.

“Officers attended the scene and are carrying out an urgent investigation to identify the individual involved.

“We understand that incidents like this raise serious concerns and we take all reports extremely seriously. Hate crime of any kind has no place in our communities.”

Earlier this month the force announced that a special team of 100 additional officers would be deployed to protect Jewish communities in London.

There have been a series of arson attacks on Jewish settlements in London since the end of March.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has previously said 300 extra police officers are needed across London, warning of a growing “epidemic” of antisemitism in the UK.