Camden Council's leader condemned a hate crime which saw a building vandalised with paint.

On Saturday (November 2), red paint was thrown over the offices of the Jewish National Fund in Church Street, Hendon and the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM) in Hampstead High Street.

Responsibility has been claimed by the group Palestine Action, who posted photos of the buildings covered in paint on X.

Councillor Richard Olszewski described the Hampstead vandalism as "an appalling incident that has caused distress and concern to many residents in the Jewish community".

In a statement published by the council, Councillor Olszewski said: “While we support the right to protest, we will not tolerate intimidation, vandalism or hate crime.”

The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the incidents, which it is treating as hate crimes.

In response to the weekend’s vandalism, last week’s protest at the JW3 community centre and the disturbances at Swiss Cottage Library, Councillor Olszweski said: “Camden is - and must be - no place for hate.”

The council’s rapid response team and BICOM are working to clean the paint without interfering with the police’s investigation.

The council ask that anyone with information relating to the incident contact police by calling 101 and using the reference CAD 2368/02NOV24.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can use the Crimestoppers website.