Another attempted arson attack reported at north-west London synagogue

WorldPolitics
19 Apr 2026 • 4:54 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Another attempted arson attack reported at north-west London synagogue

Another attempted arson attack has been reported at a north-west London synagogue in a spate of similar incidents.

Multiple arson or attempted arson attacks have been reported on Jewish property in the area in the past month.

The incident at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow on Saturday night caused minor smoke damage to an internal room but no injuries or significant structural damage, the Community Security Trust (CST) said.

The building is close to a school and children’s playground, and police were seen searching a black SUV nearby on Sunday morning.

Police officers patrol at a cordon near to an incident at the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, north-west London (Jamie Lashmar/PA) (PA Wire)

A large cordon is in place and a forensics officer, fire investigation dogs and several plainclothes officers were working at the scene.

One marked and about five unmarked police cars were outside the place of worship.

A spokesperson for the CST, the charity which monitors antisemitism and provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, said: “We are aware of another attempted arson, this time targeting a synagogue in north London, following similar recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in Finchley, Golders Green and Hendon.

“We want to thank the Met Police and London Fire Brigade for responding quickly and for all they are doing to protect the Jewish community during this unprecedented period.

“We are supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police as they investigate and seek to identify those responsible.”

A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said this “is now terrifyingly becoming a spate of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community”.

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