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"This afternoon’s events are deeply disturbing, but I am glad to say that the Metropolitan Police are carrying out an investigation to identify those responsible for this vile behaviour as quickly as possible. They will also be carrying out additional patrols.

“Antisemitism, or hate crime of any kind, will not be tolerated in Barnet or in our wider society. We remain extremely proud of our borough’s diversity and the way our communities live together.” Further information is available on the Metropolitan Police website.

Thanks to the ongoing sacrifices that we have all made to prevent the spread of infection, and the cautious approach to reopening, we can now regain more freedoms.

To celebrate the re-opening of our high streets, as part of the Discover Barnet campaign, Barnet Council is hosting a competition to encourage independent businesses and local organisations across our town centres to refresh their window displays and come up with a business plan to show how the prize money would be invested.

At an extraordinary meeting of the council on 1 March 2022 it was agreed that Cllr John Marshall be awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough which The Worshipful Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Alison Cornelius, presented to him on behalf of the Council. It is the highest award that can be bestowed in the Borough of Barnet and was awarded in recognition of the dedication to public service by John Marshall to residents over four decades.

The 11-foot bronze Grade II listed ‘Peace’ statue – which stands on top of 200 tonnes of Devon granite – was first installed in the beauty spot in March 1911. It had been donated by wealthy benefactor Sydney Simmons, who paid for the purchase of the Friary Estate, on the condition that it forever remain a public park.

Barnet Council has completed the first phase of its plan to increase the energy efficiency of a number of council-owned buildings. The £1.38million upgrade is part of the council’s wider commitment to becoming ‘carbon net zero’ by 2030 as an organisation. Phase one of the project has delivered a variety of energy-efficiency measures across Barnet Council buildings, including heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage and building management systems, installed in council offices, libraries, children’s centres and two primary schools.

Barnet Council is encouraging residents planning celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, to make sure they apply for a street party license before the deadline of 8 April. Celebratory events, including street parties and big lunches organised by residents and community groups, will be held across the borough and nationally to mark Her Majesty’s 70-year reign, across the special Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June.

Barnet’s services for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) have been found to be making a real difference, according to the findings of a joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.

Two years ago today (23 March) saw the UK go into its first lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and across Barnet people are reflecting on the impact it has had. Twenty-four months on and nearly a third of Barnet’s population has been infected with the virus (115,417), over two-thirds have been vaccinated and, sadly, 1,078 people have lost their lives.