The senior clergy at the synagogue said the Jewish community would ‘not be deterred by these cowardly acts’
A synagogue announced it ‘won’t be deterred by cowards’ after a bottle containing petrol was discovered near the building.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of arson in what is believed to be an antisemitic hate crime.
The incident happened in north London where the pair left two bottles, one thought to contain petrol, near Finchley Reform Synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue, Finchley. This occurred shortly after midnight on Wednesday (April 15) as reports indicate the man and woman were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life.
On Wednesday evening, the Metropolitan Police said officers had arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man. 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, which was reported to police by synagogue staff at 8.30am on Wednesday, 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 added: “Instead, we will continue to prioritise building bridges across the wider Barnet community.”
Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman issued a written statement on Wednesday afternoon, with printed copies handed out by volunteers to residents near the synagogue.
It read: “I understand that this will be concerning to local residents. The synagogue have told me how grateful they are for the enormous support they have received from their neighbours and the wider community.
“I know that we will get through these difficult times together.”
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.
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