Security across North London’s Jewish communities has been drastically tightened following a shocking arson attempt at the Finchley Reform Synagogue in the early hours of April 15th.
At approximately 01:00, two suspects wearing balaclavas approached the building and hurled a brick followed by two petrol bombs.
Fortunately, the Molotov cocktails failed to ignite, resulting in no damage or injuries, but the Metropolitan Police have officially classified the incident as an antisemitic hate crime.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the borough, coming just weeks after four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity were destroyed by fire in a similar attack in nearby Golders Green. Separately, the Archway, North London branch of Gail’s bakery has been vandalised twice, largely on account of it having a Jewish founder in the early 1990s.
Counter-terrorism officers have now been deployed to lead both investigations, as local MP Sarah Sackman warned that she “refuses to allow this to become the new normal.”
The Community Security Trust is currently working with the Met to evaluate security at all religious sites in the area as the hunt for the two suspects intensifies.
