Man and girl arrested over Finchley synagogue assault after pair ‘noticed with balaclavas’
Two people arrested after bottles, one containing petrol, were placed near Finchley Reform Synagogue in incident being treated as antisemitic hate crime
A man and woman have been arrested in connection with the incident(Image: PA)
A man and a woman have been taken into custody on suspicion of arson endangering life following an incident at a synagogue in north London.
Two bottles, one believed to be filled with petrol, were positioned near Finchley Reform Synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue, Finchley, just after midnight on Wednesday, in what is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
On Wednesday evening, the Metropolitan Police announced that officers had arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man on suspicion of arson endangering life. The force revealed that the woman was apprehended at a property in Watford and the 46-year-old man was detained in the Watford vicinity.
Both are currently held in custody, according to Scotland Yard.
Officers reported that two individuals, clad in dark attire and balaclavas, were spotted approaching the synagogue shortly after midnight.
The bottle containing a substance presumed to be petrol was shattered by a brick hurled at the building.
Neither of the bottles were set alight and the individuals fled the scene, the force added, with no damage or injuries recorded.
The incident is under investigation by detectives from the Met’s North West Command Unit, assisted by specialist detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who oversees policing in the area, stated: “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”.
“Instead, we will continue to prioritise building bridges across the wider Barnet community,” she said.
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.
