A memorial wall in Golders Green, north London, has been targeted in a suspected arson attack.
The Metropolitan Police said it received reports of a fire at the site in Limes Avenue on Monday but the wall itself was not damaged.
While counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation, the incident is not being treated as terrorism, the force said.
It follows another alleged arson attack that saw four Jewish community ambulances destroyed in Golders Green in late March, one of a series of apparent attacks targeting Jewish sites.
The memorial wall is a tribute to thousands of protesters killed in a crackdown in Iran in January and is near a Jewish centre.
A section of the wall is dedicated to those killed in the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival in Israel in 2023, while a more recent statement of solidarity for the Jewish community in the wake of recent attacks has been attached to a nearby tree.
Ali Vahedi, a volunteer from the Miga Rally community group that set up the memorial and organise security to watch the wall, told the Press Association: “Last week a drone was here, people come and throw things like tomatoes and now last night, after this fire happened, it is getting more dangerous.
“We started security here three months ago because we did not feel safe.”
At first police thought the fire had been started by a candle, but CCTV footage showed a person using a liquid to try to start a blaze.
Mr Vahedi, 50, from Barnet, added: “The individual used a liquid to start the fire, the police told me. The fire started from the end of the table and it spread everywhere.
“We are lucky someone saw the fire and stopped it. Now we have the same feeling as the Jewish community. We are not safe.”
Fellow volunteer Vahlid Baghi, 49, called the attempted arson “shocking”.
Police said the attack took place at around 12.15am on Monday, and was reported later that day just before 7.30pm.
Another Iranian, Ahad Ghanbary, told PA: “It is very worrying, particularly because of the recent arson attacks in the last three weeks.
“Golders Green is highly populated by the Jewish community and Iranians.
“They live together, they are neighbours, they work together. There is a genuine worry and concern among the community, Iranian or Jewish.
“We do see police cars driving by on a regular basis, but clearly that failed on the night in question.
“I have spoken to the police, and they have assured me that they are going to increase the police presence in this particular site.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: “We recognise that this incident will heighten concerns in the Golders Green area, where residents have already faced a series of attacks.
“We are working closely with community organisations and leaders, and want to reassure them that our protective security operation continues.
“Our local officers are working closely with Counter Terror Policing to support their investigation.
“Since last month’s attack in Golders Green, we have stepped up our work to reassure communities.
“This includes armed police patrols as well as deployments of officers from Project Servator, who are specially trained to spot anyone who may be planning or preparing to commit criminal acts.”
Miga Rally said in a statement: “The memorial wall is a peaceful place of remembrance, documenting lives lost and ensuring victims are not forgotten.
“Any attempt to damage or desecrate such a site is deeply troubling and an attack on the values of remembrance, dignity and community cohesion.
“We hope those responsible will be identified and held accountable.”
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “We are deeply concerned by this latest incident.
“An arson attack targeting the British-Iranian community opposed to the regime, just outside a synagogue in the heart of Golders Green. We stand in solidarity with our British Persian friends and neighbours.
“Our country and our communities are under attack, potentially by a foreign state. We are grateful to the police and politicians for their support but a new muscularity is needed to confront and defeat this shared challenge.”
A group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (Hayi), has claimed responsibility for the series of arson attacks on Jewish sites in north London, as well as an incident where drones were flown near the Israeli embassy.
Two men arrested under terrorism laws over the bizarre incident have now been released from police custody, the Met said.
A 39-year-old man who was held on April 21 in Ealing, west London, under section 41 of the Terrorism Act, which allows someone to be arrested without a warrant if they are a suspected terrorist, has been released with no further action.
The second suspect, a 37-year-old man who was arrested in Devon on Sunday on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts, has been bailed until July.
Grainy footage was posted online of the drone being flown in Kensington Park and reportedly crashing into a tree.
Hayi claimed that the drone was carrying hazardous substances but this later proved to be untrue.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing London, said: “Although these two men have been released from custody, our investigation into this incident continues.
“We appreciate the community remains very concerned about this, and other incidents that have targeted Jewish, Israeli or Iranian sites over recent weeks.
“We have made a total of 26 arrests across our various investigations and we continue to work to identify anyone who may have been involved.”
Of the 26 people arrested, eight have been charged and one convicted.
The two men arrested over the drone incident are the only suspects so far to have been detained under terrorism laws.
