Reported anti-Semitic incidents increased by 21 per cent during the initial six months of 2026 compared to the figures from 2025. Following that trend, a 33-year-old man was charged with three counts of assault by beating following a series of attacks on Jewish women in Hackney, east London, on Monday. Police and a Jewish neighbourhood watch group responded to Clapton Common after victims sustained minor injuries during the afternoon incidents.
Abdisamad Siad Faces Multiple Charges After Hackney Incidents
Police were called to Clapton Common at about 13:40 BST on Monday following reports that a man had been detained by Shomrim, a Jewish neighbourhood watch group.
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Abdisamad Siad of Pilgrims Way, Islington, was charged with three counts of assault by beating after three women were attacked. The victims suffered minor injuries during the string of afternoon assaults.
One of the victims was seen on CCTV pushing a pram down Upper Clapton Road in Stamford Hill when a man suddenly pulled up beside her. He punched her twice in the face.
Video footage captured the man running down the road, backtracking after passing the woman—who was wearing traditional Jewish dress—and fleeing after the assault as passersby rushed after him. The group noted on X that it had already been called because another visibly Jewish woman reported being punched in the face on Clapton Common earlier on Monday.
Metropolitan Police Increase Patrols as Hate Crime Investigation Opens
The Metropolitan Police said it was treating the incident as a hate crime and confirmed that officers had increased patrols in the local area. Authorities are also working alongside Jewish community leaders to provide further reassurance to residents living nearby.
This was an alarming and distressing incident and we are grateful to our partners in the Shomrim for detaining a suspect prior to the arrival of officers. We have launched an investigation and would ask that anyone with information that could help police, or any victims who have not yet come forward, contact us as soon as possible.
Chief Inspector Erica Crawshaw, Metropolitan Police
Investigators have asked anyone with information to contact police on 101 quoting reference 3400/19OCT, or to remain anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers.
Research published this summer indicated that the UK experienced the largest increase in anti-Semitism of any country possessing a major Jewish population outside of Israel. During the initial six months of 2026, reported anti-Semitic incidents increased by 21 per cent compared to the figures from 2025.
Unrelated Islington Attack and Court Appearance Scheduled
Siad was separately charged with grievous bodily harm with intent over an unrelated attack on a woman believed to be known to him in the Islington area on Friday, October 16. Police indicated that the Islington attack is not being treated as an anti-Semitic incident and that the events are unrelated.
Siad is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.