A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life after an incident at a synagogue in north London. Two bottles, one thought to contain petrol, were placed near Finchley Reform Synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue, Finchley, shortly after midnight on Wednesday, in the incident which is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
On Wednesday evening, the Metropolitan Police said officers had arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man on suspicion of arson endangering life. The force said the woman was arrested at an address in Watford and the 46-year-old man was arrested in the Watford area. Both are in custody, Scotland Yard said.
Officers said two people, who were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, were seen approaching the synagogue just after midnight. The bottle which contained a substance thought to be petrol was smashed by a brick thrown at the building. Neither of the bottles were ignited and the people fled the scene, the force added, with no damage or injuries reported.
The incident is being investigated by detectives from the Met’s North West Command Unit, with support from specialist detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, 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.”
Cantor Zoe Jacobs, senior clergy at the synagogue, said the Jewish community would “not be deterred by these cowardly acts”. She said: “Instead, we will continue to prioritise building bridges across the wider Barnet community.”
Anyone with information about the incident on Wednesday morning or CCTV or dash-cam footage that could assist officers is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 1686/15APR.