Here’s a round up of some of the week’s top stories in Barnet.

New opening hours launched for Barnet Libraries

Borehamwood Times:

New opening hours for Barnet libraries launched this week, with staffed hours cut to 15 hours per week in some libraries across the borough.

Other libraries face long closures, such as Chipping Barnet, which will be closed from 5 June to 9 October, Hendon, which will be closed until after the summer holidays, and Edgware, which will be closed from 1 May to 21 August.

But Cllr Reuben Thompstone said this will not affect people's ability to access the library and its resources during staffed hours.

Thieves trash autism charity office in Finchley Road in the early hours

Borehamwood Times:

Thieves stole iPads, laptops and trashed the Resources for Autism office in Finchley Road on Monday night.

Three men attempted to break down the back door with a shovel, but broke a window to gain access at 4.21am and stole laptops, iPads and change from the charity’s small pot, leaving at around 5.40am.

Resources for Autism director Liza Dresner said: “It is horrible – we have just started our Easter play scheme.

Neighbourhood watch volunteers followed suspect who spat on Jewish men in Golders Green

Borehamwood Times:

Neighbourhood watch volunteers from Shomrim followed a suspect who spat on and performed Nazi salute at Jewish men on Golders Green Road on Sunday, before contacting the police.

The suspect, a 26 year-old man, gave a Nazi salute to one man outside 134 Golders Green Road at around 10pm, before continuing down the road to spit on a second Jewish man.

Narrow road could be flooded with lorries as Barnet Council consults on new loading bays

Borehamwood Times:

Residential roads could be flooded with lorries as consultation begins on bringing loading bays to Union Street and Salisbury Road, off Barnet High Street in order to widen pavements along the main road.

Residents fear this will mean lorries are parked outside their houses and businesses, causing more exhaust fumes, noise and further congestion in what are already narrow streets.

Torah scrolls stolen from Barnet rabbis recovered after being found in bushes

Borehamwood Times:

Torah scrolls worth £20,000, stolen from Rabbis Larry and Dr Jackie Tabick have been found after they were dumped by the side of the road in Potters Bar.

The scrolls were stolen from on March 22 from a house in Ashbourne Grove, Barnet and following an appeal were found in bushes near Bentley Heath Cricket Club and picked up by Herts Police.

Rabbi Larry posted a photo on Twitter and said: “Our scrolls are back! Blessed is the One who is good & does good!"