Police have launched a hate crime investigation after swastikas and antisemitic slogans were raked into bunkers at a golf club the day before Yom Kippur.
The Metropolitan Police said staff at Hendon Golf Club in north London reported the messages and damage to other property on Friday.
It added that the incident was being ‘investigated as a racially aggravated hate crime’.
Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky said the graffiti was ‘utterly appalling’.
Photos of the offensive slogans were posted on X with the caption: ‘F**k the Jews’ ‘Heil’ and swastikas were daubed over the sand bunkers at Hendon Golf Club – a particularly Jewish area of North London.
Police have launched a hate crime investigation after swastikas and antisemitic slogans were raked into bunkers at a golf club the day before Yom Kippur
The incident was being ‘investigated as a racially aggravated hate crime’
‘I’m not sure who these videos belong to but the Golf Club has confirmed the attack telling me: ‘In the early hours of Friday, 11th October 2024, Hendon Golf Club was the victim of race related vandalism. Anti-Semitic wording and symbols were drawn in a number of the bunkers.
‘These have now been removed, the Police and Community Security Trust have been informed and the matter is now in their hands’.’
The Community Security Trust (CST) said it was aware of the ‘appalling antisemitic slogans and symbols’.
In a statement, the 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.’
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, MP David Pinto-Duschinsky added: ‘I’ve reported it to the police and the CST and will be talking to the club.
‘It’s completely unacceptable. I want the people who did this caught and punished.’
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.
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‘The incident is being investigated as a racially aggravated hate crime and work is ongoing, led by officers from the North West community safety unit, 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.’
Police urged anyone with information to call 101 or contact the @MetCC X account, quoting CAD1690/11Oct.
People can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Hendon Golf Club was approached for comment.
