Police have arrested two people after suspected petrol bombs were thrown at a synagogue in north London.
Two attempted arsonists wearing dark clothes and balaclavas threw two bottles, suspected to contain petrol, and a brick at the Finchley Reform Synagogue shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Police is treating the attack as an antisemitic hate crime.
Neither bottle ignited and no damage was reported. There were no injuries.
A man, 46, and woman, 47, were arrested in Watford on Wednesday on suspicion of arson endangering life. They remain in police custody.
It comes less than a month after an arson attack on four Jewish charity-owned ambulances in Golders Green in north London.
Staff at the synagogue, which is in Fallow Court Avenue, Finchley, reported the incident to police at 8.30am.
The incident is being investigated by detectives from the Met’s North West Command Unit, with support from specialist detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: “I hope the swift action by officers today to identify and arrest two people provides some reassurance and demonstrates how seriously we take attacks of this nature.
“However, we understand the significant concern the Jewish community will feel at another incident so soon after the arson attack on four ambulances in Golders Green. There is no suggestion the matter in Finchley and the incident in Golders Green, for which three people have been charged, are linked.
“Our increased patrols in the Finchley area continue, and I would ask that anyone with concerns speaks to my officers.”
Police said at 4.47pm on Wednesday, after obtaining CCTV of the attack, police arrested a 47-year-old woman at an address in Watford on suspicion of arson endangering life.
At 7.15pm, officers arrested a 46-year-old man in the same area on suspicion of arson endangering life.
Detective Chief Superintendent Williams had earlier appealed for anyone with CCTV, dash cam footage or information that could help officers to 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”, he added.
Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, the constituency in which the synagogue is situated, said: “This morning, I became aware of an attempted arson attack at Finchley Reform Synagogue overnight.
Investigation underway over another alleged antisemitic arson attack.
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) April 15, 2026
Last night, it is believed that two men may have attempted to commit arson against a synagogue in north London.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt at the attempted attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue, a major… pic.twitter.com/K715nIw2cC
“Thankfully, no one has been hurt. I have been at the synagogue, supporting local residents and community leaders.
“This shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green.
“As your local MP, and as a member of the community, I refuse to allow this to become the ‘new normal’.
“British Jews must be free to go about their lives without fear – whether taking their children to nursery or attending synagogue. We do not want to live behind ever higher walls.
“I thank the CST and Metropolitan Police for their quick and effective response. I will continue to raise the issues of antisemitism and security at the highest levels in Government to protect our community.”
Cantor Zöe Jacobs, on behalf of the senior clergy of Finchley Reform Synagogue, said: “FRS is a proud, progressive and welcoming space for all. We not only hold Jewish services and celebrations, but within our community we host a nursery, a homeless shelter, and are a safe place for refugees to gather.
My statement on the attempted arson attack at Finchley Reform Synagogue. pic.twitter.com/uNqAGMHo1J
— Sarah Sackman KC MP (@sarahsackman) April 15, 2026
“Last night, two men tried to attack our Synagogue and were unsuccessful.
“This is clearly an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community, but we will not be deterred by these cowardly acts. Instead, we will continue to prioritise building bridges across the wider Barnet community.
“At this time, and as always, our community is being incredibly well supported by the police, the government, CST and all of our key partners.”
Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, who co-lead the Movement for Progressive Judaism, of which FRS is a member, said: “This incident is part of a wider rise in antisemitism that is affecting Jewish communities across the country.
“We will continue to work with the police and CST (Community Security Trust) to prioritise the safety, resilience and confidence of all our communities.”
Finchley Church End councillor Josh Mastin-Lee said the synagogue was “a pillar of the community that deserves far better”, adding “these attacks must end”.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: “I’m grateful to the Met Police for their swift response to the appalling attempted arson attack at Finchley Reform Synagogue overnight.
“The incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, and there is an increased police presence in place in the local area.
“While thankfully no-one was injured, the Met are urging anyone with information to come forward.”
At the scene on Wednesday afternoon, a forensics officer could be seen inspecting a green-topped wine bottle with a blue rag in the top, which appeared to be a bottle of I Heart Sauvignon Blanc, outside the synagogue.
The bottle was also pictured on the side of the road behind a police cordon.
Three people were charged in relation to the attack on the ambulances in Golders Green last month.
Police in London and Manchester have been given an extra £5 million to pay for more patrols around places of worship in the wake of the attack last month.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, providing the reference 1685/15APR or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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