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Manhunt after attempted arson attack on synagogue
TL;DR
Two suspects are being sought after an attempted arson attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London, involving petrol bottles. The incident is being investigated as an antisemitic hate crime by police.
Key points
- Attempted arson at Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London
- Two suspects threw petrol bottles and a brick at the building
- Incident classified as an antisemitic hate crime by police
Mentioned in this story
Finchley Reform Synagoguenorth LondonSarah Sackman
Two suspects are being sought after an attempted arson attack at a synagogue in north London in which two bottles thought to contain petrol were hurled at the building.
The attack on the Finchley Reform Synagogue is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, according to police.
The Met said the suspects, wearing balaclavas, approached the building at about 01:00 BST and threw a brick and two bottles. No damage or injuries were caused.
Last month, four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community charity were set alight in an arson attack - counter terrorism police are involved with both investigations.
Sarah Sackman, the Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said: "This shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green".
She added that she "refuses 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 ever higher walls."
The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which provides security and monitors antisemitism in the UK, said it was "supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police".
Det Ch Supt Luke Williams said the Met was "aware of the significant concern" the incident will cause in the community, particularly in the wake of the arson attack in Golders Green last month.
He added: "We are working with the affected synagogue and continuing to meet with community leaders.
"I would like to reassure the community that we take incidents of this nature extremely seriously and detectives are working urgently to identify the suspects.
"If you have any CCTV, dash cam footage or information that could help officers please contact the police."
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Q&A
What happened during the attempted arson attack on the Finchley Reform Synagogue?
Two suspects threw a brick and two petrol-filled bottles at the synagogue, but no damage or injuries occurred.
Why is the attempted arson at the synagogue being classified as a hate crime?
The police are treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime due to the nature of the attack on a place of worship for the Jewish community.
What previous incidents have occurred involving attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley?
Last month, four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community charity were set on fire in a separate arson attack.
