A volunteer from the community security group, Shomrim NW London, suffered a skull fracture and haemorrhage after an incident in Golders Green in the early hours of last Thursday morning.

The father-of-three had responded alongside colleagues after a number of Orthodox Jews reported being hit by eggs thrown from a car. Shomrim volunteers tracked the vehicle and surrounded it until the arrival of police.

The volunteer, who is in his 40’s was subsequently knocked unconscious and suffered serious injuries in a hit-and-run as the suspect vehicle sped from the scene. He was transported to the major trauma ward in a Central London hospital by Hatzola NW ambulance service.

Eyewitnesses claim that the police officers did not liaise or co-operate with the Shomrim volunteers who were already at the incident, or with the Hatzola volunteers who rushed to treat the man.

A local resident said “When the police arrived, they would not approach the suspects. The Police busied themselves by ordering the Shomrim members to move their vehicles, thus giving a safe passage for the suspects to escape which resulted in a hit and run. When Hatzola medics arrived they were told by police to park their cars properly which delayed urgent medical attention”

Mr Sheldon Bodner Chairman of Shomrim London NW said “Shomrim have worked alongside police for the last 5 years protecting the community from all aspects of crime, at this incident our volunteers followed protocol until the arrival of Police. We feel that the direct result of the actions taken by Police seriously jeopardized the safety of our volunteers and resulted to the hospitalization of one of our members.”

Shomrim NW have been praised by Police many times in the past for assisting police in tackling and reducing criminal activity in NW London.

Barnet Police Commander, Chief Superintendent A drian Usher told the Jewish Chronicle that the incident was still under investigation and rejected claims that his officers were to blame.

An 18 year old male from Finchley was arrested shortly after the incident and has been questioned on suspicion of attempted murder. He has been bailed to return to a Police Station next month.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)