UK police arrest two after attempted arson attack on north London synagogue

British police have arrested two people in connection with an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in Finchley, north London, in what authorities are treating as a suspected antisemitic hate crime.

The Metropolitan Police Service said a 46-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were detained in Watford on suspicion of “arson endangering life, CNN reports.  

According to police, CCTV footage showed two individuals in dark clothing and balaclavas entering the synagogue grounds in the early hours of April 15. They allegedly placed two glass bottles near the building’s windows and threw a brick at the structure. One bottle contained a suspected petrol-based substance, but neither device ignited and no damage or injuries were reported.

The suspects fled the scene before being identified, and the incident was later reported by synagogue staff.

Police said they are increasing patrols in the area and treating the case as a hate crime. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said the swift arrests should provide reassurance, adding that authorities take such incidents extremely seriously.

The Finchley Reform Synagogue said in a statement that while the building was unharmed, the incident had caused “significant emotional and psychological impact.”

The attempted attack comes amid a recent rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK, including a separate arson case involving emergency vehicles linked to a Jewish volunteer group in north London. Police said there is currently no evidence linking the two incidents.

By Sabina Mammadli