Two individuals are being sought in connection with an attempted arson incident at a synagogue in north London, where two bottles believed to be filled with petrol were thrown at the building.
The Metropolitan Police is treating the event as a hate crime after the two suspects, dressed in dark attire and balaclavas, were spotted approaching Finchley Reform Synagogue just after midnight on Wednesday. Fortunately, neither bottle ignited, and although a brick was also hurled at the structure, no harm or damage was reported.
Detectives from the Met’s North West Command Unit, with assistance from Counter Terrorism Policing London, are currently investigating the matter. As of now, no arrests have been made.
Authorities are appealing for witnesses, with Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams emphasizing the seriousness of such incidents and urging anyone with relevant footage or information to come forward. To address community concerns, a heightened police presence is expected in the area in the following days.
In a statement, the police described the incident as an antisemitic hate crime involving two suspects who threw bottles and a brick at the synagogue in Finchley. The bottles, suspected to contain petrol, failed to ignite, and no injuries or damage occurred. The police were alerted to the incident in the morning, and efforts to locate the suspects are ongoing.
Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the police or provide details anonymously through Crimestoppers.