Met officers were called to Gail’s in Junction Road on Wednesday February 18 – the night before the new store was due to open.
Images on social media show the upmarket cafe daubed with dripping red paint.
The window of the Gail’s in Junction Road was smashed by vandals. (Image: Supplied)
Then in the early hours of Wednesday February 25 there was further damage to the bakery in Junction Road including smashed windows, a red-painted anarchy symbol and a slogan reading “reject corporate Zionism,” and “F**k Bain Capital.”
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “We are investigating reports of criminal damage at a café on Junction Road, Archway, on Wednesday, 25 February.
“It is believed the offences were committed at around 01:12hrs, when several windows were smashed and paint sprayed at the business.
“Officers have attended the café yesterday, Wednesday, 25 February, and spoken to staff.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether the latest incident is linked to a similar incident of criminal damage on Wednesday, 18 February, when officers attended the business within minutes of it being reported to the police.
“Detectives have carried out extensive enquiries into the first incident, including reviewing CCTV and other footage. No arrests have been made at this stage and our enquiries continue.”
The force added it recognised the impact of the incidents.
“We have increased uniformed patrols in the area and are working with the affected business.
“We will take an assertive and determined approach to dealing with antisemitism and other hate crime, acting decisively against anyone who tries to use the cover of protest to cause fear and distress to Londoners.”
Jewish groups including the Community Security Trust have condemned the attacks as racist, with the Campaign Against Antisemitism saying: “Smashing up a branch of Gail’s does nothing to advance peace in the Middle East; it simply spreads hate on British streets.
“The Metropolitan Police must ensure that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions.”
The chain is named after Gail Mejia, a British Israeli baker who was born in Belsize Park and grew up in Israel. She was backed by American Tom Molnar and Israeli Ran Avidan to open the first Gail’s in Hampstead High Street in 2003.
Now boasting more than 180 bakeries it is owned by Bread Holdings with a majority stake held by US private equity firm Bain Capital.
Mr Molnar, Gail’s chief executive, told the Ham&High: “Our immediate priority is to work closely with the relevant authorities to help ensure this does not happen again and provide reassurance to our bakery teams.
“As we have previously made clear, we are a British business with no links to any country or government outside the UK.”
In a statement, Junction ward councillors James Potts, Sheila Chapman and Janet Burgess MBE said: “We are appalled by the damage caused to Gail’s on Junction Road.
“This is the second occasion the store has been targeted with graffiti and vandalism this month, and it is totally wrong. This is also awful for the staff work are just doing their job.
“We understand the strong feelings that many have on events in the Middle East, and we fully support peaceful protest in all its forms. However, targeting this particular store and damaging the site goes far beyond what is acceptable.
“It reflects badly on Archway and we want our borough to feel safe for everybody, and not to feel intimidated by the actions of others. We encourage anybody with information regarding this incident to contact the police.”
Anyone with information about the criminal damage incidents that may assist police is urged to call 101 quoting CAD 7771/18FEB, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
