Bournemouth has been shaken by a series of alarming anti-Semitic incidents over the weekend, leaving local residents on high alert. Police have increased patrols after a Jewish teenager was shot with an airgun on his way to synagogue and multiple homes were defaced with Nazi symbols.
Teenager Injured in East Cliff Attack
The most serious incident occurred Saturday afternoon in the East Cliff area, home to a sizable Jewish community.
A teenage boy walking to synagogue was targeted when a car pulled up nearby.
The driver shouted obscenities and fired an airgun at the boy, striking him on the forehead.
Fortunately, the injury was superficial. Authorities are treating the attack as a hate crime.
Homes Defaced with Swastikas
Earlier the same day, several prominent Jewish households in Bournemouth were vandalized with Nazi swastikas.
Among them was the home of Rabbi Benzion Alperowitz.
While leaving for synagogue with two of his children, aged ten and seven, he discovered the graffiti.
Rabbi Alperowitz described the incident as “very upsetting and alarming” and emphasized the need for the community to remain proud and resilient.
“We should be proud of who we are and never allow these forces of darkness and evil to instill fear in our hearts,” he said.
Other houses on Manor Road also suffered similar attacks, with swastikas spray-painted on walls, sending shockwaves through the local Jewish community.
Community Leaders Speak Out
Rabbi Alan Lewis of the Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation said the attacks left the community stunned.
Many of the homes targeted displayed a mezuzah scroll, a traditional Jewish symbol often placed beside front doors for protection.
The presence of these scrolls made it obvious the homes belonged to Jewish families.
Rabbi Lewis noted, “The young man who was shot was wearing a skull cap.
It was very obvious he was Jewish. Several people woke up to find swastikas painted on their homes.
This is especially shocking because most of the members of the Jewish community are retired people.”
Some residents have even removed their mezuzah scrolls out of fear for their safety.
National Response and Rising Anti-Semitism
Andrew Gilbert, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, condemned the attacks.
“These hateful attacks on people and property in Bournemouth are extremely concerning.
We hope the perpetrators will be arrested and face the full force of the law,” he said.
The Community Security Trust (CST) reported 1,521 anti-Semitic incidents across the UK in the first half of the year—the second highest on record.
A CST spokesperson called the weekend attacks “abhorrent acts of racism that are deeply distressing for the Jewish community and should alarm everybody.”
A recent survey of Jewish teachers revealed that more than half had experienced abuse, with swastikas and chants of “Free Palestine” becoming increasingly common.
Police Investigate Hate Crimes
Dorset Police confirmed a full investigation is underway.
A spokesman said, “We take hate crime extremely seriously.
Enquiries are being carried out to establish whether the incidents are linked and to identify those responsible.”
The attacks have left Bournemouth’s Jewish community fearful but determined to maintain their identity and continue their traditions in the face of rising anti-Semitism.
