The emblem was painted on rocks where children play in Clissold Park, near Stamford Hill – one of Europe’s biggest Orthodox Jewish communities.
The graffiti was removed on April 20, the last day of Passover, which celebrates the liberation of Jews from Egypt by Moses.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said on X on April 21: “I won’t share the abhorrent graffiti that defaced this play area but wanted to let concerned residents know that Hackney Council teams were out last night and again this morning to remove it.
“Everyone should feel safe to play in Hackney.”
Passover lasted from April 12 to 20 in 2025.
Swastikas were painted on the rocks in the children’s playground in Clissold Park. According to @Clissoldpeople park management is aware, signs have been put up, and the specialist cleaning team has been informed. pic.twitter.com/JdJrdE8Wov
— Stokey Updates (@StokeyUpdates) April 20, 2025
As well as the swastikas, the vandals also reportedly poured blue paint down a slide and a trampoline, and drew a penis on a climbing wall.
Cllr Susan Fajana Thomas, Cabinet Member for community safety and regulatory services said: “Hackney Council strongly condemns the hateful graffiti that appeared in a local play area this week. This behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place in our borough.
“As soon as the incident was reported, our teams responded swiftly, attending the site late last night and again this morning to ensure the offensive graffiti was removed as quickly as possible.
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Hackney feels safe in our public spaces, especially places designed for children and families.
“We’re also working closely with partners, including the police, to investigate this matter and take any further necessary action.”
Reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK in the first half of 2024 reached a record high, according to the Community Security Trust (CST).
From January to June 2024, the charity recorded reports of 1,978 anti-Jewish hate incidents, up from 964 in the first half of 2023.
1,037 of the self-reported antisemitic incidents were in Greater London, with 411 in Barnet – the local authority home to the biggest Jewish community in the UK.
Cllr Thomas added: “We encourage residents to report any hate crime or hateful vandalism by contacting the police on 101 or report via https://hackney.gov.uk/crime-and-safety.”
