Two arrested in connection with Kenton Synagogue arson attack
Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes confirms a 17-year-old boy and 19-year-old man arrested
A 17-year-old boy and 19-year-old man have been arrested over an arson attack aimed at a synagogue in north-west London, the Metropolitan Police has said.
A bottle containing a type of accelerant was thrown through the window of Kenton United Synagogue on Shaftesbury Avenue, Harrow at about midnight on Sunday.
The Community Security Trust (CST) said that minor smoke damage to an internal room was caused but said no there were injuries or significant structural damage.
Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes told the Today programme on Monday morning that a 17-year-old boy and 19-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident.
He added there had been a total of 15 arrests in relation to six incidents where premises with Jewish connections had been targeted in London in recent weeks.
These include arson attacks on four Jewish ambulances in Golders Green and a synagogue in Finchley, north London.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Jukes confirmed the Met was investigating Iranian-backed proxies linked to the recent incidents.
“I think that’s a very serious line of inquiry in relation to these events, we’ve seen a pattern… people taking cash, as it looks like quick and easy money.”
On Sunday, Yehuda Black, the rabbi at Kenton synagogue, said the item was thrown into the medical room.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the arson attack as “cowardly” and said “a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum”.
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