Headlines
Two Arrested Over Attempted Arson Attack at Synagogue in London
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 20, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 20, 2026
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Quick Summary
British police have arrested two individuals—a 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man—in connection with a failed arson attack on a synagogue in north-west London that caused minor smoke damage but no injuries. The incident is part of a wave of recent antisemitic arson attempts across the capital.
Two arrested over attempted arson attack at synagogue in London
Details and Context of the Synagogue Arson Attempt
Incident Overview
LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) - British police said on Monday they arrested two people over an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in north London over the weekend, as counter-terrorism officers probe possible links between a series of recent attacks on Jewish targets and Iran.
Arrests and Immediate Aftermath
A 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were taken into custody overnight in connection with the incident, which occurred early on Sunday morning, the police said. The fire caused minor smoke damage to an internal room and no injuries were reported.
Pattern of Recent Attacks
The attack on Kenton United Synagogue was the latest in a series of arson incidents targeting Jewish sites across the capital in recent weeks.
Other Recent Incidents
On Friday night, police said there was an attempted arson attack on a business premises linked to the Jewish community. Earlier last week, two suspects were arrested over an attempted arson attack at another synagogue in the capital.
Last month, several ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer emergency service Hatzola were set alight while parked near a synagogue in the Golders Green area of north London.
Security Response and Broader Concerns
Police also briefly cordoned off an area near the Israeli embassy in London over the weekend following an online report that it had been targeted with drones carrying "dangerous substances". Officers later said items recovered did not contain any harmful or hazardous materials.
Background and Reactions
Rising Threats Against Jewish Community
Attacks on Jewish people and Jewish targets have risen in Britain since the October 2023 Hamas assault on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza, according to police and community groups.
Concerns Over Foreign Influence
British security officials have previously warned that Iran has sought to use criminal proxies to carry out hostile activity in the UK.
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; editing by Sarah Young)
Key Takeaways
- •Two suspects arrested over attempted arson at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow; no injuries were reported. (itv.com)
- •This incident follows a spate of recent antisemitic arson attacks, including the torching of four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on 23 March. (apnews.com)
- •Investigations are being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is treating the incidents with an open mind regarding motivation amid heightened concern about foreign-linked extremist threats. (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Two arrested over attempted arson attack at synagogue in London
1Where did the attempted arson attack occur?
The attempted arson attack occurred at a synagogue in north London.
2Were there any injuries in the incident?
No injuries were reported as a result of the arson attempt.
3Who was arrested for the attempted attack?
A 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were arrested in connection with the incident.
4Did the incident cause significant damage?
Only minor smoke damage was reported at the synagogue.
5Is this attack part of a wider trend?
Yes, it was the latest in a series of arson incidents targeting Jewish sites in London.
