CITY leaders have rallied in support of an Oxford Jewish centre after it suffered a ‘blatant’ anti-Semitic attack.

Talcum powder was flung over the bins at the Chabad Student Centre in Cowley Road on Wednesday afternoon and offensive letters left at the building.

Police and firefighters raced to the scene after reports of a suspicious substance being thrown, and closed neighbouring Alma Place to investigate.

The centre’s Rabbi Eli Brackman said he believed the powder was thrown in an attempt to spread panic and fear, with people initially believing it might be a more dangerous substance.

He said the centre was concerned but pledged to not be deterred by ‘displays of hate’.

He added: “We have been touched by the reaction of the community and thankful for the response of the police and emergency services.

“We are also encouraged by the spirit of friendship and multiculturalism of the Cowley Road and Oxford more widely.”

The attack comes amid growing reports of anti-Semitic behaviour and attacks nationally.

The Community Security Trust said earlier this year that hate incidents in the UK had reached record levels.

Sarah Montagu, security officer at the synagogue in Richmond Road, Jericho, said staff and worshippers there had been on 'high alert' in recent weeks.

She went on: “We condemn what happened in the strongest possible terms and our sympathies are with them for what they have experienced.

“We have had a few incidents in the last year which in the previous five or six years we have not had at all.

“It is a rare occurrence in Oxford and we are very glad that community relations here are really strong.

“We need to carry on and not let it intimidate us.”

MPs and councillors have condemned the attack, stressing intolerance has no place in the city.

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds said: “I was very sorry to hear about this unpleasant and cowardly attack on the Chabad Student Centre.

“Everyone should feel safe in our city. It’s horrible that someone has behaved in this pathetic manner.”

Layla Moran called the attack ‘deeply distressing.’

The Oxford West and Abingdon MP added: “I wholly condemn this attack – we cannot tolerate anti-Semitism of any kind in Oxford.”

Oxford city councillor for St Clements Tom Hayes said everybody who attended the Chabad centre should feel safe.

He added: “Anti-Semitism is ugly and disgusting and completely against everything we pride ourselves on as a tolerant and diverse community.”

A resolution will be put to the East Oxford branch of the Labour Party next week condemning the attack.