London synagogue firebombed overnight in latest arson attack on Jewish community as counter-terror police lead investigation

Counter terror officers are leading the investigation into an attempted arson attack at Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London overnight, the Metropolitan Police said.

The Trust confirmed that the building suffered from minor smoke damage and no one was injured in the attack.

A spokesman for the charity said: "We are aware of another attempted arson, this time targeting a synagogue in north London, following similar recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in Finchley, Golders Green and Hendon.

"On this occasion there was minor smoke damage to an internal room, but there were no injuries and no significant structural damage. We want to thank the Met Police and London Fire Brigade for responding quickly and for all they are doing to protect the Jewish community during this unprecedented period.

"We are supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police as they investigate and seek to identify those responsible.

"We urge people to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity, at any time of day or night, to the police immediately on 999 and then to CST."

It is the latest in a string of antisemitic attacks in Britain.

The Metropolitan Police has launched two investigations following an attempted arson attack in London this week.

On Friday, an arson attack occurred at a building in Hendon, north-west London.

In a separate incident, the Finchley Reform Synagogue in London on Wednesday was targeted by two suspects, wearing dark clothes and balaclavas, who approached the synagogue on Fallow Court Avenue shortly after midnight.

Both incidents are being treated as antisemitic hate crimes.

Last month, four ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer service Hatzola Northwest were destroyed in a targeted arson attack in Golders Green, north London.

A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “A synagogue in London was firebombed last night in what is now terrifyingly becoming a spate of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community.

"It betrays a cataclysmic failure of the state - politicians, police chiefs and prosecutors - to tackle antisemitic extremism in this country, which has gone largely unchecked for two and a half years. Britain is fundamentally a different country now.

"Still, the Government refuses to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an obvious first step to address foreign radicalisation and interference.

"It is shocking that concern for the sensitivities of a violent Iranian regime is more important to the Government than the welfare of Jewish people in this country."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “At around midnight on Sunday 19 April, officers on deterrence and reassurance patrols following a series of incidents in north-west London noticed damage to a window of the Kenton United Synagogue in Shaftesbury Avenue, Harrow.

"On further inspection they saw smoke inside a room and evidence that a bottle with some sort of accelerant had been thrown through the window.

"The London Fire Brigade was called and firefighters searched the building to confirm that there was no further fire risk.

"The incident is being treated as arson and an investigation is under way led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, supported by local officers."

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, released a statement on X following the attempted arson attack.

He wrote: "I remain in regular contact with the Met Police, who have stepped up resources following a series of arson attacks in north west London.

"There will be a significantly increased police presence in the area, including around Jewish places of worship and businesses.

"There is no place for anti-semitism in our city, and the perpetrators of these despicable attacks will face the full force of the law.

"London will always stand united against those seeking to divide us."

In a statement posted on X, the Prime Minister added: "I am appalled by recent attempted antisemitic arson attacks in North London.

"This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated.

"Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.

"We are increasing visible policing and those responsible will be found and brought to justice.

"We will not rest in the pursuit of perpetrators."

Sir Keir Starmer has faced intense pressure to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

Security services have reported that the IRGC is linked to at least 20 credible threats in the UK, including assassination and kidnap plots.

While in opposition, Labour forcefully advocated for the group's proscription and included the pledge in their 2024 election manifesto.

The EU officially designated the IRGC as a terrorist organisation in early 2026, joining the United States and Canada.

For the first time, Israel has also made a direct, official request for the UK to do the same.

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