April 19, 2026, 4:40 p.mApril 19, 2026, 4:40 p.m
Just a few days after a similar incident, police in London are again investigating an arson attack on a synagogue. On Sunday night, patrol officers discovered damage to a window at the Kenton United Synagogue in the northwest of the city, a spokesman said. “Upon closer inspection, they saw smoke in a room and evidence that a bottle containing some kind of accelerant had been thrown through the window.”
Firefighters then searched the building to ensure there was no further fire risk. There were no injuries. The counter-terrorism unit is leading the investigation with the support of local police officers, it said.
Ambulance destroyed in arson attack
This is the fourth attack or attempted attack of this kind on a Jewish institution in London in less than a month. A few weeks ago, four ambulances belonging to the Jewish community in Golders Green were destroyed in an arson attack. Several suspects have been charged.
On Wednesday night, two suspects are said to have thrown Molotov cocktails, among other things, at a synagogue in the Finchley district. However, the incendiary devices did not ignite. The police arrested a man and a woman. On Friday there was an attempted arson attack on a building previously used by the Jewish community in the Hendon district.
Anti-Semitic hate crimes: Police increase presence
The police classified the acts as anti-Semitic hate crimes and announced that they would increase their presence in north-west London following the recent incidents. “We take the public’s concerns seriously and do not underestimate the impact of such incidents, particularly on our Jewish communities,” said lead investigator Luke Williams, according to a statement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was horrified by the actions at X. “This is disgusting and will not be tolerated. Attacks on the Jewish community are attacks on Britain,” he wrote. London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote in a post: “There is no room for anti-Semitism in our city and the perpetrators of these despicable attacks will face the full force of the law.” (sda/dpa)