A 17-year-old boy has been charged with arson following an attack on Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest on Monday, alongside a 19-year-old man who was also detained in connection with the incident.
The attack occurred around midnight on Sunday, when a bottle containing an accelerant was thrown through a window of the synagogue in Harrow. Smoke was seen inside a room, but the Community Security Trust reported only minor smoke damage and no injuries.
Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes stated that the arrests are part of a broader investigation into a series of antisemitic incidents, with links to Iranian-backed proxies being a “very serious line of inquiry”. He noted that 15 arrests have been made in recent weeks relating to six incidents targeting Jewish premises, a Jewish-led ambulance service, and a Persian media organisation.
Police cordoned off the area on Sunday morning, with forensic officers and fire investigation dogs at the scene. The synagogue is located near a school and playground.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis condemned the attack, describing a “sustained campaign of violence and intimidation” against Jews in the UK that is “gathering momentum”.
