Arson attack on former Jewish charity premises investigated as antisemitic hate crime

Police are treating the latest arson attack in north London as an antisemitic hate crime.

Counter-terror police have launched an investigation after the attack on a building formerly used by a Jewish charity in Hendon.

Police and the London Fire Brigade were called at 10:31pm on Friday after a man set three bottles “containing fluid” alight inside a bag outside a row of shops.

The man fled the scene when they failed to fully ignite, the Metropolitan Police said.

The front of building that had been used by educational charity Jewish Futures sustained minor damage and no injuries were reported.

There have been “online claims of responsibility” for the arson and attempted arson attacks, said the Met, which is supporting Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London’s investigation.

Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, an Iran-linked group, is understood to have posted a video online of the attack.

It is the latest in a number of arson attacks in north London recently that the group has claimed responsibility for.

Counter-terror police are also investigating attempted arson attacks on a Persian language media organisation and a synagogue in Finchley , as well as ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity set alight in Golders Green last month.

It also follows claims made by the group that it used drones to drop radioactive material on the Israeli embassy in Kensington on Thursday night.

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Scotland Yard said the embassy was not attacked and “suspicious items” found in Kensington Gardens were found to not be hazardous.

The investigation into the Hendon arson is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, supported by officers from the North West Command Area - although the attack is noit being treated as a terrorist incident.

A police cordon was in place around a building, said to be formerly used by the Jewish community, on Saturday afternoon.

Armed response vehicles, CTP resources and police motorbikes have been deployed to the area.

A “significantly increased” number of uniformed and plain clothed Met officers will be visible through the weekend and extra stop and search powers have been granted across Barnet.

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: “We continue to work with our colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing who are leading the investigations into all of these incidents due to the similar circumstances and online claims of responsibility.

“We recognise the feeling of concern among local people and do not underestimate the impact of incidents of this nature – particularly our Jewish communities.”
The Community Security Trust (CST), a British charity which provides security for Jewish people, urged the community to remain calm following the latest incident.

A spokesperson said: “We are working closely with police to assist their investigation and to support the Jewish community.

“We urge people to remain calm and to report any suspicious activity, at any time of day or night, to police immediately on 999 and then to CST.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This is yet another arson attack which appears to be targeting the Jewish community – it is the third in a month as we witness a worldwide pattern of attacks.

“It is unclear to what extent, if any, they are being co-ordinated.

“Police have only just reopened a central London park over a drone threat.

Britain is under attack and those responsible will not stop at targeting Jews.

Meanwhile, the Government thinks it is ‘not appropriate’ to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
Commander Helen Flanagan, of CTP London, said earlier on Saturday: “At this stage last night’s arson is not being linked to other incidents in the north-west London area over the last week or last month’s arson in Golders Green, but counter-terrorism officers are leading due to the similarities of each attack.

“I would ask that anyone with information or footage that could help our investigation gets in touch with police as soon as possible.

“We will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible for this and other, similar, hateful acts against London’s communities.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 8987/17APRIL, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.