British police have arrested two people after an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in north London, an incident being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
The Metropolitan Police said a 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested in Watford on Wednesday on suspicion of arson endangering life. Both remained in custody as detectives continued their investigation.
The incident happened shortly after midnight on Wednesday at Finchley Reform Synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue, Finchley. Police said CCTV footage showed two people wearing dark clothing and balaclavas entering the synagogue grounds, placing two glass bottles near windows and throwing a brick at the building. One bottle, believed to contain petrol, smashed, but neither bottle ignited. There were no injuries and the building was not damaged. A staff member discovered what had happened later that morning and alerted police. Officers have since increased patrols in the area to reassure residents and the Jewish community.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said the swift arrests should provide some reassurance, adding that police were treating the attack with the seriousness it deserved. He also acknowledged anxiety within the Jewish community following a separate arson attack last month in Golders Green. In that incident, four ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer emergency medical service, were set on fire near a synagogue in Golders Green. The attack caused major damage but no injuries. Police have said there is currently no indication that the Finchley and Golders Green incidents are connected.
Finchley Reform Synagogue said it was grateful no one was hurt and that the building was unharmed, but stressed that the emotional and psychological impact on the community was significant. Its leaders described the attempted attack as an effort to intimidate British Jews and said the synagogue would continue to serve the wider community.
The incident comes amid heightened concern over antisemitic hate crimes in the UK. A recent report by Tel Aviv University said antisemitic incidents in Britain rose from 3,556 in 2024 to 3,700 in 2025, while attacks globally killed the highest number of Jews in three decades.
Police appealed for witnesses and anyone with footage or information to come forward as the investigation continues.
