Prime Minister Expresses Outrage Over Latest Synagogue Arson Attempt
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared himself "appalled" following another attempted arson attack on a synagogue in northwest London, marking the latest in a series of similar incidents targeting Jewish properties in the area. Counter-terrorism police are now leading multiple investigations into what appears to be a coordinated campaign of violence.
Midnight Discovery and Police Response
Officers conducting "deterrence and reassurance patrols" in response to previous attacks discovered damage to a window at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow around midnight on Sunday. According to a Metropolitan Police spokesperson, a bottle containing an accelerant had been thrown through the window, with smoke observed inside a room. The incident is being treated as arson, with Counter Terrorism Policing London taking the lead in the investigation, supported by local officers.
The Community Security Trust (CST) reported that the attack caused only minor smoke damage to an internal room, with no injuries or significant structural damage. However, the location's proximity to a school and children's playground has heightened community concerns.
Political and Community Condemnation
In a strongly worded statement posted on social media platform X, Prime Minister Starmer condemned the "abhorrent" antisemitic attacks, stating they "will not be tolerated." He emphasized that "attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain," pledging increased visible policing and vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the incident as "a cowardly arson attack" and warned that "a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum." He noted this was the third attack on Jewish sites in London in less than a week, following incidents in Finchley and Hendon.
Pattern of Recent Attacks
The latest incident comes just hours after Metropolitan Police deployed extra resources to parts of northwest London, treating an attempted arson in Hendon on Friday night as an antisemitic hate crime. In that incident, a man was seen approaching a row of shops carrying a plastic bag containing three bottles of fluid, which he attempted to ignite near the former Jewish Futures building before fleeing when they failed to fully ignite.
Earlier in the week, two individuals wearing dark clothing and balaclavas were seen approaching Finchley Reform Synagogue just after midnight, leaving bottles—one thought to contain petrol—near the building. Neither bottle ignited, and no damage or injuries were reported.
This pattern extends back to March 23, when four Jewish community ambulances were torched in Golders Green. Due to the "similar circumstances and online claims of responsibility," Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading investigations into all these incidents.
Enhanced Security Measures
In response to the escalating situation, police have implemented significant security enhancements across affected areas. Following the Hendon attack, armed response vehicles, counter-terrorism resources, and police motorbikes were deployed to Barnet, with a "significantly increased" number of uniformed and plainclothes officers visible throughout the weekend.
Extra stop and search powers have been granted across the borough, and a large cordon remained in place at the Kenton synagogue scene on Sunday, with forensic officers, fire investigation dogs, and multiple police vehicles present.
Community Resilience and Ongoing Concerns
Despite the attacks, the Jewish community has demonstrated resilience. The morning service at Kenton United Synagogue was moved to another location but remained well-attended, according to Saul Taylor, president of the charity behind the synagogue.
The CST expressed gratitude to the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade for their rapid response, while the Campaign Against Antisemitism warned that these incidents "are now terrifyingly becoming a spate of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community." All organizations are working closely with police as investigations continue to identify and apprehend those responsible for what appears to be an unprecedented period of targeted violence.
