Man, 46, and woman, 47, arrested over attempted arson attack on Finchley synagogue

A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life after an incident at a synagogue in north London.

Two bottles thought to contain petrol were hurled at Finchley Reform Synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue, Finchley, shortly after midnight on Wednesday, in an incident being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.

On Wednesday evening, the Metropolitan Police said officers had arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man on suspicion of arson endangering life.

The force said the woman was arrested at an address in Watford and the 46-year-old man was arrested in the Watford area.

Both are in custody, Scotland Yard said.

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.

Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman issued a written statement on Wednesday afternoon, with printed copies handed out by volunteers to residents near the synagogue.

It read: “I understand that this will be concerning to local residents.

“The synagogue have told me how grateful they are for the enormous support they have received from their neighbours and the wider community. I know that we will get through these difficult times together.”

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.