Detectives have released under investigation two girls aged 13 and 14 who were arrested after an orthodox Jewish woman was violently robbed in north London.
The victim was approached by two girls in Rostrevor Avenue, Haringey, at roughly 4.30pm on Thursday (December 7), when they assaulted her and stole her handbag.
The 20-year-old woman suffered bruising in the attack, which is being treated by police as "a possible hate crime".
Following the robbery, CCTV images captured near to the scene suggested the woman's attackers had been wearing school uniform.
The Met Police arrested two girls age 13 and 14 on suspicion of robbery at an address in Haringey, around lunchtime on Sunday. Police successfully applied on Monday to extend the amount of time they could question them without having brought charges.
But they were released under investigation on Tuesday meaning although they have not been charged the case is still open and inquiries continue.
A police spokesman said: "They have been released under caution under investigation while enquiries unto the circumstances remain ongoing."
Detective Sergeant Asli Benson, who is leading the investigation previously said: “This was a terrifying incident for the young woman who was attacked. We will continue to ensure she has the right support.
“Officers have been pursuing all available lines of enquiry since the incident and these arrests are a very positive development.
“The victim is from the orthodox Jewish community. It would have been obvious from her appearance that she was Jewish and there has been significant concern that she was targeted for that reason.
“In the current climate, when fears and uncertainty in the wider Jewish community are heightened following the terror attacks in Israel and the subsequent rise in antisemitic hate crime here in London, these concerns are entirely understandable.
“While we are keeping an open mind as to the motive behind the incident and will continue to explore all avenues, we are treating this as a possible hate crime.”
Officers continue to appeal for anyone with information about the incident to call 101 providing the reference CAD 5505/07Dec.
