Two schoolgirls have been arrested over the brutal assault of a Jewish woman in Stamford Hill.

Following the assault on Thursday, December 7, the girls aged 13 and 14 were arrested on Sunday as the suspected perpetrators. 

The assault was filmed on widely circulated CCTV footage, showing two young women following the victim along Rostrevor Avenue, N15 before attacking her.

The victim was a 20-year-old Jewish woman from the Orthodox community. She did not require hospital treatment, although she has suffered bruising and been described as ‘very shaken’ by the incident.

The footage was also shared by Jake Wallace Simons, the Editor of the Jewish Chronicle, who said: “Shocking. Two women beat a Jewish woman unconscious in London, then continuing to beat her limp body while passers-by ignore the whole thing. Echoes of history”. 

The Metropolitan Police said: “It would have been obvious from her appearance that she was Jewish, and there has been significant concern that she was targeted for that reason.”

The two perpetrators were wearing school uniforms; detectives worked with schools in the borough and neighbouring boroughs to identify the two suspects. 

The two suspects were arrested on Sunday, December 10, at midday and are still in custody. 

Detective Sergeant Asli Benson said: “While we are keeping an open mind as to the motive behind the incident and will continue to explore all avenues, we are treating this as a possible hate crime.”

Community Security Trust, a Jewish security charity: “This was an appalling and very distressing incident. If you have any information that might help identify the suspects, please contact the police and/ or CST.”

Since initial Hamas’ attacks in Israel on October 7 both antisemitic and Islamophobic hate and abuse across London has risen. 

The MET police are still appealing for those with information to come forward by calling 101 and providing the reference CAD 5505/07Dec.