Police are investigating a suspected arson attack in which a pram was set alight in a block of flats in Golders Green, north London, where many young Jewish families reside. Officers were called at 4.52am on Tuesday after a man started a fire in an empty pushchair inside a communal stairwell on Bridge Lane. The fire was quickly extinguished by residents, and no injuries were reported.
The incident comes amid a series of attacks on London's Jewish communities, including assaults on synagogues and Jewish-linked businesses, as well as a double stabbing in Golders Green. The Met Police said officers are keeping an open mind as to the man's motive, while the Shomrim neighbourhood watch group described it as an “attempted arson”.
At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, senior MP Bob Blackman raised the attack with Sir Keir Starmer, stating that “the regular hate marches we've seen on our streets… has led directly to attacks on Jewish businesses, on synagogues, on individuals in the streets, and now an arson attack on where Jewish people live”. He urged the government to take action, including expelling foreign students who commit antisemitic acts and proscribing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terror organisation.
Sir Keir responded that the government is determined to tackle the surge in antisemitic incidents, investing more to keep Jewish communities safe with increased police patrols and security for schools and synagogues. The Met Police continue their enquiries and urge anyone with information to contact them quoting CAD 7231/02JUN.
