Man arrested after hate crime outside synagogue

A 55-year-old man has been arrested over what police described as a hate crime incident happening outside a synagogue.

Hertfordshire Police said it received reports that a man had been pushed, threatened with a screwdriver and subjected to antisemitic verbal abuse and threats in Furzehill Road, Borehamwood, at about 17:30 GMT on Friday.

The man, from the town, was arrested on suspicion of a religiously/racially aggravated public order offence and of being in possession of an offensive weapon. He has been released on bail.

The force said officers had been carrying out patrols outside places of worship.

Sgt Andrew Amabilino said: "This was understandably a distressing incident for the victim and the wider community.

"We are treating it as a hate crime and the victim is being supported.

"Increased patrols around places of worship are already in place and this will continue."

He added that "antisemitism will not be tolerated" and that the force would always take action against it.

"The suspect was arrested whilst the victim was still in synagogue and I hope this swift action is reassuring to our Jewish community," he added.

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