Anti-Semitism event in Gants Hill urges victims to ‘report it to police’

Ajay Nair

Published: 7:00 AM February 25, 2015

Updated: 8:46 AM October 13, 2020

Lee Scott and Mike Gapes at the anti-Semitism event at the Ilford Federation Synagogue, Gants Hill. Picture: Ajay Nair - Credit: Archant

“I’m proud to be British and I’m proud to be Jewish” was the feeling echoed at a meeting to discuss anti-Semitism in the borough.

Borough commander Sue Williams (left) at the anti-Semitism event at the Ilford Federation Synagogue, Gants Hill. Picture: Ajay Nair - Credit: Archant

Ilford North MP Lee Scott, who made the comment, was joined by Ilford South MP Mike Gapes, Redbridge borough commander Ch Supt Sue Williams and members of the Community Security Trust (CST) to answer questions at the Ilford Federation Synagogue in Clarence Avenue, Gants Hill.

Victims of anti-Semitic crime were urged at last night’s meeting to report incidents to police regardless of the crime’s severity in order to track crime in the borough.

The meeting comes in light of new figures showing attacks in Redbridge more than trebled last year.

The statistics from the CST – an anti-Semitism charity – show incidents went up from nine in 2013 to 34 in 2014.

People at the anti-Semitism event at the Ilford Federation Synagogue, Gants Hill. Picture: Ajay Nair - Credit: Archant

Lee Scott said: “There have been Jews here for hundreds of years and there will be Jews here for hundreds of years to come.

“We should not bow down or have to feel threatened by anyone – and I think we’re very lucky here in Britain, because I think we have one of the best police forces in Europe.”