A man and a woman were arrested in the Watford area on suspicion of arson endangering life as local leaders condemned this morning’s incident

The word "POLICE" carved into stone on the side of a police building — (Credit – Met Police)

A man and a woman have been arrested today in connection with an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in Finchley early this morning.

A 47-year-old woman was arrested shortly before 5pm, while a 46-year-old man was arrested at 7.15pm. Both were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life and both arrests took place in the Watford area. The suspects remain in police custody.

This morning’s attempted attack on a synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue took place shortly after midnight, when two suspects, who were dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas, gained entry to the synagogue’s grounds.

They were captured on CCTV placing two glass bottles next to the synagogue’s windows and throwing 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, with no damage caused to the building and no injuries reported.

The incident was reported to police at around 8.30am by a staff member at the synagogue and is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.

The attempted attack has been widely condemned by local politicians and council officers. Writing on X, Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman said: “The shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green.

“As you 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 even higher walls.”

Barnet Council leader Barry Rawlings said: “The attempted arson attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue, carried out deep into the night by masked thugs, was the work of bullies and cowards.

“We are supporting the police with their enquiries into this antisemitic hate crime to identify the suspects as soon as possible. We stand with members of Finchley Reform Synagogue and the wider Jewish community. Relevant councillors are in touch with the synagogue. Antisemitism cannot be tolerated in Barnet and we are dedicated to combatting it now and always.”

The council’s chief executive Cath Shaw said: “The attempted arson attack in our borough that saw Finchley Reform Synagogue targeted was a reprehensible antisemitic attack on our Jewish community. This was a cowardly act, targeted to intimidate the community as it still deals with the aftermath of the arson attack on Hatzola last month.

“Our thoughts are with those who are affected by this terrible hate crime. Fortunately, no one was injured and the shul was not significantly damaged. But that does not take away from the seriousness of the attempted attack.

She added: “The hate that drives such attacks has no place in Barnet and it will not change us. We are resilient and we support one another. Following the attack on Hatzola, we saw residents from all walks and faiths in Barnet join together, united against those seeking to divide and terrorise our communities. We will all stand united, again.”

Following the arrests of the two suspects, Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London, 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.”

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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