Two Teenagers Arrested Over Arson Attack on North London Synagogue
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with an arson attack on Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London.
The arrests were made overnight following the incident that occurred over the weekend.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were taken into custody.
Officers found that a bottle containing an accelerant had been thrown through the synagogue's window.
The attack caused minor damage to the building, specifically to the synagogue's medical room, with no injuries reported.
The building is located in Harrow, near a school and a children's playground.
Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes of the Metropolitan Police stated that these arrests are part of a wider investigation.
Over the past weeks, 15 arrests have been made in connection with six incidents targeting Jewish premises, a Jewish-led ambulance service, and a Persian media organisation in London.
The police are investigating possible links to Iranian-backed proxies in relation to these attacks.
Jukes described this as a serious line of inquiry, noting a pattern of attacks that appear to be motivated by financial gain as well as hate.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said most of the recent incidents have been claimed online by the group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which has taken responsibility for attacks across Europe, including at Jewish and Israeli premises.
Evans described the violence as "recruiting violence as a service," with perpetrators often having little allegiance to the cause and motivated by quick cash.
