Police in London said Friday that officers are investigating several incidents of apparent vandalism of menorahs as possible hate crimes, the UK’s Jewish News reported, as the British government looks to tackle rising antisemitism in the wake of Sunday’s terror attack in Australia.

The incidents in Notting Hill, Muswell Hill and West Hampstead were all being probed, according to the report.

“This has been a tremendously difficult week for the Jewish community following the terror attack in Australia at the weekend,” said Metropolitan Police Superintendent Owen Renowden. “And I appreciate how these hate crime incidents will cause further hurt and distress.”

“We are treating these reports extremely seriously and will update further when we can,” he said, adding that investigators are “keeping an open mind as to whether these reports are linked.”

The superintendent noted that police were cooperating with local partners, including religious leaders, and that additional patrols have been deployed.

He encouraged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.

The candles on the menorah smashed to bits in Muswell Hill, north London, just days after the appalling atrocities in Bondi. The evil scourge of anti-semitism has been allowed to fester for far too long in........

© The Times of Israel