Two teenagers arrested over arson attack at synagogue in Harrow
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with an arson attack on the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, north-west London.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman had previously said that at around midnight on Sunday “a bottle containing some form of accelerant was thrown through a window” and smoke was seen in a room.
speaking to the BBC Today Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes, who attended the program on Monday morning, said a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were arrested overnight.
“I’m really pleased to say that overnight we received news of two arrests in this incident,” he said.
“We have made 15 arrests in connection with a series of six incidents in recent weeks targeting Jewish buildings, a Jewish-led ambulance service and an Iranian media outlet.”
The Community Security Trust (CST) said there was minor smoke damage to the inner room during the synagogue attack, but no injuries or significant structural damage were reported.
Yehuda Black, the synagogue’s rabbi, said the item was thrown into the medical room.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said in a statement on his old Twitter account, X: “I am appalled by the recent anti-Semitic arson attacks in North London.
“This is abhorrent and will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.”
“We are increasing visible policing activities and those responsible will be found and brought to justice. We will not be satisfied with pursuing the perpetrators.”
Mr Jukes said police were investigating Iranian-backed proxies linked to recent attacks on the Jewish community. Today program.
“I think this is a very serious line of inquiry into these incidents, we’ve seen a pattern… people are buying cash because it looks like quick and easy money,” he said.
“The teams I lead have imprisoned people with Russia ties, in this case, like Dylan Earl, who served a 17-year prison sentence for acting on behalf of the Wagner group. But this is part of modern hybrid warfare waged by proxies.”
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis had previously described the synagogue incident as a “cowardly arson attack” and said a “sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community in the UK is gaining momentum”.
In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “This sustained attack on our community’s ability to worship and live safely is an attack on the values that hold us all together.”
