Prime Minister Expresses Outrage Over Latest Synagogue Arson Attempt
Sir Keir Starmer has declared himself "appalled" following another attempted arson attack on a synagogue in north-west London, marking the latest in a disturbing spate of incidents targeting Jewish properties in the area. Counter-terrorism police are now spearheading multiple investigations into what appears to be a coordinated campaign of intimidation and violence.
Midnight Discovery at Kenton United Synagogue
Officers conducting "deterrence and reassurance patrols" in response to previous attacks discovered damage to a window of the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow around midnight on Sunday. According to a Metropolitan Police spokesperson, a bottle containing an accelerant had been thrown through the window, with smoke observed inside a room. The incident is being treated as arson, with Counter Terrorism Policing London leading the investigation, supported by local officers.
The Community Security Trust (CST) reported that the attack caused only minor smoke damage to an internal room, with no injuries or significant structural harm. However, the location's proximity to a school and children's playground has heightened community concerns. A large cordon was established at the scene, with forensic officers, fire investigation dogs, and plainclothes personnel conducting extensive searches, including examining a black SUV parked nearby.
Political and Community Condemnation
In a strongly worded statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the "abhorrent" antisemitic arson attempts, asserting that "attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain." He pledged increased visible policing and vowed that those responsible would be found and brought to justice, emphasizing that the government "will not rest in the pursuit of perpetrators."
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the incident as "a cowardly arson attack" and warned that "a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum." He highlighted that this attack follows similar incidents in Finchley and Hendon, making three Jewish sites targeted in London in less than a week. Mirvis stressed that this assault on the community's ability to worship and live safely represents an attack on the fundamental values binding society together.
Pattern of Attacks Across North-West London
This latest incident occurred just hours after the Metropolitan Police deployed additional resources to parts of north-west London, treating an attempted arson on Friday night as an antisemitic hate crime. Counter Terrorism Policing London is also investigating the Hendon incident, along with prior attacks, due to "similar circumstances and online claims of responsibility."
In the Hendon case, a man was seen approaching a row of shops carrying a plastic bag containing three bottles of fluid. He placed the bag by a building, lit the items inside, and fled when they failed to fully ignite, causing minor damage to the former Jewish Futures building's shopfront.
Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, bottles—one believed to contain petrol—were placed near Finchley Reform Synagogue. Two individuals wearing dark clothing and balaclavas were observed approaching the synagogue just after midnight, though neither bottle was ignited, and the perpetrators escaped without causing damage or injuries.
This series follows the torching of four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green in the early hours of March 23, indicating a troubling escalation in targeted violence.
Enhanced Security Measures and Community Response
In response to the Hendon attack, armed response vehicles, counter-terrorism resources, and police motorbikes were deployed to Barnet, with a "significantly increased" number of uniformed and plainclothes officers visible throughout the weekend. Extra stop-and-search powers were also authorized across the borough.
The CST spokesperson acknowledged the "unprecedented period" of threats, thanking the Met Police and London Fire Brigade for their swift response and ongoing efforts to protect the Jewish community. The charity is supporting affected locations and collaborating closely with police investigations.
Meanwhile, the Campaign Against Antisemitism warned that these incidents "are now terrifyingly becoming a spate of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community," underscoring the urgent need for decisive action to ensure safety and security.
Despite the disruption, the morning service at Kenton United Synagogue proceeded at an alternative location, with Saul Taylor, president of the charity behind the synagogue, noting that attendance remained strong—a testament to the community's resilience in the face of adversity.
