Man arrested after shouting ‘shame Hitler didn’t kill you’ on 254 bus
A man was arrested over a suspected antisemitic hate crime: Photograph: Shomrim
A man has been arrested over a suspected antisemitic hate crime after threats were made against Jewish passengers on a bus in Upper Clapton Road.
The incident took place on board a 254 bus in yesterday afternoon (Thursday 7 May) when a man began shouting abuse and making threats.
He reportedly shouted “Shame Hitler didn’t kill you” and “You should all go in the gas chambers”, according to Shomrim, London’s Jewish volunteer civilian community safety patrol.
The man is said to have threatened to kill Jewish children and claimed to have a knife.
The bus driver hit the emergency alarm after the incident at the Jessam Avenue bus stop on Upper Clapton Road.
Members of the public also rushed to intervene, according to Shomrim.
🚨 Hate Crime Incident
📍 Jessam Avenue bus stop, Upper Clapton Road, E5, Hackney
🕒 Thursday 7th May @ 3:45pm
🚌 A male suspect onboard a @TFL #254 Bus threatened Jewish passengers, shouting antisemitic abuse including “Shame Hitler didn’t kill you” and “You should all go in… pic.twitter.com/V7Gyo1GxmQ
— Shomrim (London North & East) (@Shomrim) May 7, 2026
A 50-year-old man was arrested shortly after on suspicion of making threats to kill.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told the Citizen: “Police were called at 15:51hrs on Thursday, 7 May following reports that a man on a bus on Upper Clapton Road was making threats.
“Officers attended and arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of making threats to kill and an offence under Section 4A of the Public Order Act. He remains in police custody.
“Officers searched the male and no weapon was found.
“The Met takes incidents of this nature incredibly seriously. The incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime and our enquiries continue.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 5358/7MAY or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s director of security, policing and enforcement, told the Citizen: “We are absolutely appalled by this report.
“No-one should ever have to fear or experience abuse when using our network.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of hate crime, and work with the police to pursue anyone who is abusive to our customers or staff.
“We are supporting the police with their investigation, alongside the bus operator, who’ll supply footage from the CCTV cameras, which all buses are equipped with.
“We encourage anyone who experienced or witnessed this incident to contact the police.”