Three people have been arrested following a break-in at a synagogue in north London that left prayer items, including sacred Torah scrolls, strewn across the floor.
The incident took place in the early hours of Friday morning at the Gur Synagogue on Lampard Grove in Stamford Hill, amid heightened tensions over the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
Police were called to the scene at 7.08am on June 20 following reports that the synagogue had been burgled. A number of religious items were allegedly stolen.
Two men, aged 43, and a 36-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of burglary. They remain in custody for questioning. The Met Police confirmed that enquiries are ongoing.
A shocking incident occurred overnight where the Gur Synagogue on Lampard Grove was vandalised with the Torah scrolls desecrated. pic.twitter.com/4L9R7HlIih
— In Stamford Hill (@instamfordhill) June 20, 2025
Images from the scene, shared on social media by the account In Stamford Hill, show personal lockers forced open and religious artefacts, including Torah scrolls, scattered on the floor. One photo showed a wheelchair surrounded by bags, with a knife resting on top.
The Torah is the central religious text in Judaism, comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, and is treated with the utmost reverence.
The Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors anti-Semitic incidents in the UK, condemned the break-in as a “shocking” act of vandalism.
“At a time when community tensions are already high, this is an appalling act of vandalism which has caused significant damage to a synagogue in Stamford Hill,” a CST spokesperson said. “We are in touch with the location and are providing support. We urge anyone with information to contact CST and the police as a matter of urgency.”
The CST recorded 3,528 anti-Jewish hate incidents in the UK last year, the second-highest annual total on record. These included vandalism, threats, abusive behaviour, violence, and the circulation of anti-Semitic literature.
The organisation says reports of anti-Jewish hate have remained at “sustained high levels” since the Hamas terror attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
Tensions in the region escalated again last week when Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran, killing Iranian military officials, scientists, and civilians. In retaliation, Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel.
The Met Police have appealed for anyone with information about the synagogue burglary to call 101 quoting reference 1469/20JUN.
