Two arrested over Whitechapel arson attack at former synagogue

Counter-terrorism police have arrested two men following an arson attack on a former synagogue in east London.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the 45-year-old man and the 52-year-old woman were arrested and detained on suspicion of arson conspiracy on Sunday.

It follows an incident at a building on Nelson Street in Whitechapel in the early hours of Tuesday morning, which police said was being investigated alongside a series of attacks on Jewish sites in London since the end of March.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of London Counter Terrorism Police, who is leading the investigation, said on Sunday: “Today’s arrests are a significant step in our investigation into this attack and our inquiries continue.

“Our goal remains to arrest and charge those responsible for arson attacks and other incidents targeting Jewish, Israeli and Iranian sites in recent weeks.

“We will not tolerate these hateful attacks on societies,” he said.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called by the London Fire Brigade at 5.16am to reports of a fire at a former synagogue.

There was minor damage to a number of doors and locks at the front of the building.

The Met said CCTV showed the fire had been started deliberately moments earlier and counter-terrorism police took over the investigation.

“Everyone can do their bit to keep themselves and their communities safe, as counter-terrorism officers continue to work closely with Metropolitan Police colleagues to provide protective security advice and support to a range of organisations, community venues and businesses,” Ms Flanagan added.

“If you have concerns that someone is acting suspiciously, please report it to us.

“Your information could help us save lives.”

The former synagogue in Whitechapel was due to be sold at auction earlier this year after a Muslim group made a separate bid to buy the building and turn it into a mosque and community centre.

Detective Constable Oliver Richter, who leads the force in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “This attack took place at a synagogue that was in the process of being sold to a local Somali Muslim organisation, and I know that people of all faiths in the local area felt they were being targeted and collectively condemned this appalling act.

“Our work to engage and reassure all communities affected by recent events continues and, as always, we want to hear any fears or concerns so we can address them.

“I would like to emphasize once again that no hate crime will be tolerated, no matter who it is against.

“This is completely unacceptable and has no place here.”

The Metropolitan Police on Wednesday announced a community protection team of 100 extra officers to help protect the Jewish community.

The Met said that in the first phase the team will “primarily focus on protecting the Jewish community, which faces significant terrorist and hostile state threats as well as the highest levels of hate crime.”

This will bring together “neighborhood policing, specialist protection and counter-terrorism capabilities”, providing “a more visible, intelligence-led and coordinated presence focused on protecting Jewish communities across London”, officials added.

Following the arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green in March, as well as a number of other arson attacks and incidents, 33 people were arrested as part of various counter-terrorism police investigations, according to the Met.

Eight people have been charged among those 33, police added, including a 17-year-old boy who pleaded guilty to arson following the attack on Kenton United Synagogue on Shaftsbury Avenue in Harrow on April 18.