Counter-terrorism police have launched an investigation after a suspected arson attack targeted a former synagogue in Tower Hamlets, East London, amid growing concerns over a rising number of antisemitic incidents in the English capital.
Emergency services were called to Nelson Street in the early hours of Tuesday, May 5th, where firefighters extinguished a small blaze affecting the exterior of the disused building. Police said initial CCTV footage suggests the fire may have been started deliberately. No injuries were reported, and damage was limited to the entrance gates and a lock.
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke said authorities were treating the incident “extremely seriously,” noting that while the building has not functioned as a synagogue for years, the attack would still resonate with Jewish communities in the area and beyond.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terror policing in London, said investigators are examining possible links to a series of recent arson attacks and attempted attacks targeting Jewish sites across the city.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions following a wave of violence against Jewish residents. In Golders Green, North London two Jewish men were stabbed last week in a serious antisemitic attack. The suspect, a Somali-born British citizen, has been charged with attempted murder.
During a visit to the area, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was met with boos and heckling from members of the public, with one victim accusing the government of making London “unsafe for Jewish people.”
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