Jewish schoolchildren were left running for their lives 'after car sped towards them and mounted pavement': Met Police probing anti-Semitic attack

By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER and NICOLE LAMPERT Published: 01:17, 7 May 2026 | Updated: 01:21, 7 May 2026 Jewish teenagers were left fleeing for their lives after a car drove towards them at speed and mounted the pavement in a suspected anti-Semitic attack. The terrified pupils had been waiting to cross the road close to their school in Hendon, north London, when a black saloon car left the road and came within inches of hitting them.  As they scrambled to move out of the way, the driver then manoeuvred his vehicle back onto the road and towards the A406 during the incident on April 20, at around 3.40pm.  Met Police are investigating and appealing for any witnesses or dash cam footage from the area at the time. The would-be ramming came just three days after the former premises of a Jewish charity in Hendon, around a five-minute drive away, was targeted by arsonists, and amid a spate of anti-Semitic incidents targeting the capital's Jewish community in recent weeks. They include attempted arson attacks on two synagogues in nearby Finchley and Kenton, as well as at a memorial wall in Golders Green on April 28. Golders Green was also the scene of last week's double stabbing on April 29, resulting in two Jewish men being attacked in broad daylight, with police treating the incident as an act of terrorism. On Wednesday, parents at Hasmonean High School for Boys were informed by letter about the latest 'concerning incident'. A black saloon car mounted the pavement close to this junction and drove towards a group of Jewish teenagers as they left school in Hendon, north London News of the incident comes as the Met Police revealed anti-Semitic hate crimes in London are the highest they have been in two years. Pictured: Protesters hold up placards and flags during a protest organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism outside Downing Street last week The would-be ramming came amid a spate of anti-Semitic incidents targeting the capital's Jewish community in recent weeks Interim headteacher James Fisher said: 'We are writing to make the community aware of an incident currently being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. 'On Monday 20th April 2026 at approximately 3.40pm, a group of Hasmonean students were involved in a concerning incident near the A1 carriageway by Holders Hill Road NW4, close to the pedestrian crossing near October Place. 'According to the police investigation, a black saloon-type vehicle reportedly drove towards the students whilst they were waiting to cross the road, mounting the kerb and causing the students to move quickly out of the way before the vehicle drove off towards Henlys Corner / the A406.' The letter added that anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting reference number 01/7491684/26. Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitism and provides security for the Jewish community, confirmed the incident had also been reported to them.  One parent of a Year 11 student at Hasmonean High School told Daily Mail they were 'horrified' by the 'would-be ramming'. They said: 'I'm just shocked, but with the current situation, with anti-Semitism being so acceptable, I just feel what else [is coming our way]? 'I've never experienced anything like this in my lifetime. I've been living in England for 53 years, my whole life, and now I've got to look out on the streets for a car that might be running near my children. It's unbelievable.'  News of the incident comes as the Met Police revealed on Wednesday that anti-Semitic hate crimes in London are the highest they have been in two years. The majority of the incidents have been recorded in the borough of Barnet, which encompasses Hendon, Finchley and Golders Green. Some 140 offences were logged across the capital in April, up from 98 in March and 67 in February, according to the new data. The borough of Barnet saw the highest number, accounting for 51 of the 140 (36 per cent). In response, Met Police announced the creation of a community protection team of 100 extra officers to provide a 'more visible, intelligence-led and co-ordinated presence focused on protecting Jewish communities across London'. The new team will involve neighbourhood policing as well as specialist protection and counter-terrorism capabilities. The Jewish community 'faces some of the highest levels of hate crime alongside significant terrorist and hostile state threats,' the Met added. A spokesman for the Community Security Trust (CST), told the Daily Mail: 'CST welcomes the Metropolitan Police's announcement of a new dedicated Community Protection Team to tackle antisemitic hate crimes and protect the Jewish community in London.  'This new measure is an important step at a time of heightened anti-Jewish hatred and reflects the seriousness of the threats currently facing the community.  'The increase in the number of arrests for antisemitic hate crimes in recent weeks is a welcome sign of effective action being taken by the police, which we hope will send a strong message both to the Jewish community and to would-be offenders.  'CST will continue to work closely with the police, government and other partners to tackle antisemitic hate crime and to protect Jewish life, and we welcome efforts to build a lasting model of protection to tackle this hatred.' A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism told the Daily Mail: 'In this current climate of arson attacks, ambulance incineration and stabbings, it stands to reason that these figures are so high.  'Our polling shows that most Jews report hate crimes, even if only ten per cent of them believe those crimes will be prosecuted, even if there is sufficient evidence. 'What is incredible is that, after two years of surging antisemitism, the figures continue to go up rather than down.  'It shows just how abjectly policing in London under Sir Mark Rowley has failed, and why only five per cent of British Jews have confidence in his leadership and six in ten believe he should not be in post.  'The Prime Minister has urged everyone to do their part in the fight against antisemitism, but that must also include accountability for failure. It is time to see some of that as well.' No comments have so far been submitted. 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