Two suspects arrested after attempted ‘petrol bomb’ attack on London synagogue

A man and woman have been arrested after a north London synagogue was targeted in what is being treated as an antisemitic arson attack.

Two petrol bombs were hurled at Finchley Reform Synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue, Finchley, shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

There were no injuries and the building, which houses a nursery, was not damaged.

Scotland Yard launched an urgent hunt for two suspects and have now confirmed a 46-year-old man and 47-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life.

Both are in custody.

CCTV obtained by detectives shows two suspects dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas gained entry to the synagogue’s grounds just after midnight.

They were seen to place two glass bottles next to the synagogue’s windows and threw a brick at the building.

One of the bottles, which contained a substance suspected to be petrol, was smashed by the brick.

Neither of the bottles were ignited and the suspects fled the scene, the Met said.

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: ‘I hope the swift action by officers today to identify and arrest two people provides some reassurance and demonstrates how seriously we take attacks of this nature.

‘However, we understand the significant concern the Jewish community will feel at another incident so soon after the arson attack on four ambulances in Golders Green.

‘There is no suggestion the matter in Finchley and the incident in Golders Green, for which three people have been charged, are linked.

‘Our increased patrols in the Finchley area continue, and I would ask that anyone with concerns speaks to my officers.’

The synagogue’s senior clergy Cantor Zoe Jacobs said the alleged petrol bombing was ‘an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community’.

She said: ‘Our synagogue is a proud, progressive and welcoming space for all.

‘We not only hold Jewish services and celebrations but within our community we host a nursery, homeless shelter and are a safe place for refugees to gather. 

‘Last night, two men tried to attack our synagogue and were unsuccessful. This is clearly an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community, but we will not be deterred by these cowardly acts.’

Local MP Sarah Sackman said: ‘This morning, I became aware of an attempted arson attack at Finchley Reform Synagogue overnight.

‘Thankfully, no one has been hurt. I have been at the synagogue, supporting local residents and community leaders.

‘This shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green.

‘As your local MP, and as a member of the community, I refuse to allow this to become the ‘new normal’. British Jews must be free to go about their lives without fear – whether taking their children to nursery or attending synagogue. We do not want to live behind ever higher walls.

‘I thank the CST and Metropolitan Police for their quick and effective response. I will continue to raise the issues of antisemitism and security at the highest levels in Government to protect our community.’

Brian Coleman, who lives across the road from the synagogue and is a former GLA member, told Metro: ‘The Jewish community are really worried. We have never seen this level of unease – Jewish people are thinking of moving to Israel. Some have their bags packed. It’s very sad.

‘Locally police are good. The people doing this are warped. The Jewish people have lived peacefully in London I don’t get it.’

The incident comes just weeks after the arson attack on the Jewish charity-owned Haztola ambulances in Golders Green, in which three people have since been charged with.

Damon Hoff, president of the Machzike Hadian synagogue which was damaged in the Hatzola attack, told Metro: ‘Obviously we are trusting that this will again be elevated and clearly the continued need from the highest levels of government to provide continued support and more so mechanisms put in place to lower the temperature across our nation.

‘It’s fair to say things that were once tolerated, particularly in London need to be toned down dramatically.’

Michael Freer, the former Conservative MP for the area said the ‘scars’ of this latest attack ‘will last a long time’.

Mr Freer was forced to stand down as an MP after his offices which are on the same street as the synagogue, were deliberately burnt down in December 2023.

He said: ‘It is sad that yet again a wonderful community which wants to give so much to Britain is being treated as fair game.

‘If the people who did this are prosecuted and imprisoned, even then, the scars of the attack will last for a long time.

‘It will never be the same for the people who go there. They will always walk in and know it has been attacked.’

Counter-terror police are supporting the investigation into the alleged attack.

The Community Security Trust said: ‘We are aware of an attempted arson overnight at Finchley Reform Synagogue that is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.

‘There were no injuries and no significant damage to the building. We are supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police as they investigate and seek to identify those responsible.

‘We urge anyone with information to contact the police on 999 and then CST.’

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