Two arrested over suspected arson at former East London synagogue

Counter-terrorism police arrested a 45-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The arrests followed a fire that was reported at 05:16 BST on Tuesday at the former East London Central Synagogue building in Whitechapel.

According to police, CCTV inquiries established the fire was started intentionally at 5:10am, causing minor damage to a set of gates and a lock at the front of the building. No one was injured.

The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, said in a statement that the arrests represented a “significant step” in the investigation. “Our aim continues to arrest and charge all those responsible for the arson attacks and other incidents targeted at Jewish, Israeli and Iranian sites in recent weeks.

We will not tolerate these hateful attacks on communities,” she said.

The building ceased operating as a synagogue in 2020 and is in the process of being sold to a local Somali Muslim organisation. Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said the attack had left people of all faiths in the local area feeling targeted.

“This attack happened at a synagogue in the process of being sold to a local Somali Muslim organisation, and I know that those of all faiths in the local area have felt targeted and together condemn this horrendous act,” he said.

The president of the East London Central Synagogue told reporters his reaction to the fire was one of horror. He noted the building had been daubed with graffiti several months earlier after a ceasefire in Gaza, with slogans including “free Palestine” and “kill the Zionists” that were later removed by the council.

Police have urged anyone with information about suspicious behaviour to come forward. Officers continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to provide protective security advice to organisations, community venues and businesses.

Since late March there have been a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London. Police are also treating a double stabbing in Golders Green as an act of terrorism.