The mother of an 11-year-old Jewish boy who was brutally attacked at Belsize Park Tube station has revealed her family is considering leaving the UK following the incident.
Speaking anonymously, she told MailOnline that her son is "struggling to sleep" and "deeply shaken" after he and his schoolmates were assaulted in what police are investigating as a hate crime.
"There's a lot of support being given by the British Transport Police and the school but my son is very shaken and he's struggling to sleep," the mother said.
A group of eight Year 7 pupils, reportedly from Hasmonean High School for Boys, were attacked on Monday afternoon at Belsize Park Tube station by older, unidentified youths.
The Jewish schoolboys were reportedly followed from school to the station, with the assailants shouting racial abuse.
At the station, the attackers allegedly attempted to push one boy onto the tracks before throwing his skullcap onto the rails. Another child was kicked in the knees, causing him to fall, while a third was elbowed in the face, reportedly dislodging a tooth.
Witnesses claim the attackers shouted: "Get out of this city, Jew."
The mother of one victim expressed fears for her family's safety, saying: "It's a serious consideration to leave the country. It's an enormous fear. Will we have to and if so, where are we supposed to go? We're from Britain, but what can we do? That being said, the police are being amazing and are taking it all very seriously."
Hasmonean High School is now reportedly advising students not to wear school uniforms or Jewish symbols in public to reduce the risk of antisemitic attacks.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has condemned the attack, saying: "I utterly condemn this sickening attack against Jewish children. Antisemitism has no place on the streets of London."
A spokesperson for antisemitism charity CST added: “CST received reports on Monday of an alleged assault on Jewish schoolchildren that took place at Belsize Park tube station.
“Thankfully it does not appear that anybody was seriously injured, but this was nonetheless a threatening and distressing incident for those involved and a further example of the unacceptable levels of antisemitism in our country.
“CST is providing extra support and reassurance to the school as well as liaising with British Transport Police, who have confirmed that a hate crime investigation has been opened and will ensure additional police presence in the area.
“Our ongoing priority is to ensure that Jewish children can go about their daily lives free from harassment and anti-Jewish hatred.”
The incident is being investigated as a hate crime by the British Transport Police (BTP).
The alleged offenders are believed to be a group of children from another school.
Police are trawling through CCTV footage as part of the investigation into the incident.
A BTP statement said: “Detectives are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a group of Jewish schoolchildren. The incident is being treated as a hate crime.”
