Police have launched an investigation after an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in north London, which is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
Two individuals wearing dark clothing and balaclavas are believed to have thrown two bottles, thought to contain petrol, along with a brick at the Finchley Reform Synagogue shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Police said neither bottle ignited and that no damage or injuries were reported in the incident.
Staff at the synagogue, located on Fallow Court Avenue in Finchley, alerted authorities at around 8.30 am.
Officers from the Met’s North West Command Unit are leading the investigation, with support from specialist detectives in Counter Terrorism Policing London due to the nature of the attack.
No arrests have been made, and urgent inquiries are ongoing to identify the suspects and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police said they are treating the case as a hate crime, with security around places of worship understood to be under review following the attempted attack.
The incident has prompted concern among local community leaders, as authorities continue efforts to determine whether the synagogue was specifically targeted or part of a wider pattern of antisemitic activity.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, said: “We are aware of the significant concern that this incident will cause in the community, particularly in the wake of the arson attack in Golders Green last month.
“We are working with the affected synagogue and continuing to meet with community leaders.
“I would like to reassure the community that we take incidents of this nature extremely seriously and detectives are working urgently to identify the suspects.
“If you have any CCTV, dash cam footage or information that could help officers please contact the police.
“Residents can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area over the coming days. We have brought in additional officers and would urge anyone with concerns to speak to them.”
We are aware of an attempted arson overnight at Finchley Reform Synagogue that is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime. There were no injuries and no significant damage to the building. We are supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police as they… https://t.co/Cb9k0qMZ2p
— CST (@CST_UK) April 15, 2026
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Attacks on Jews and community institutions in this country just keep escalating. They burned ambulances. Now they are trying to burn down synagogues.
“Thankfully nobody was hurt in this latest attempt, but what – or whom – will they try burning next? We are grateful to the police for the investigations that they are conducting and call on anyone with information to assist as a manhunt is underway.
“But it really is past time for the authorities to wake up to the scale of extremism in this country – which their inaction on hate marches and surging antisemitism has incubated – and address root causes rather than simply wait for the next incident.”
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