Third arrest over attempted arson at synagogue

A third person has been arrested over an attempted arson attack at Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London.

The 19-year-old man was arrested at an address in Portsmouth on Thursday morning and has been taken into custody, the Met Police said.

The latest arrest comes after officers were called to the synagogue on Fallow Court Avenue, Finchley, during the early hours of 15 April. No damage was caused to the building and no-one was injured.

A 38‑year‑old woman and a 46‑year‑old man were arrested in Watford on the day of the attack on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. Both have since been released on bail until July.

The incident is being investigated by the Met's Counter Terrorism unit.

The force said 30 people had now been arrested as part of various investigations into a series of attacks on Jewish sites in London since March.

Of those arrested, eight have been charged with offences.

A 17-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to arson following an incident at Kenton Synagogue.

The most recent incident was on Tuesday at a former synagogue in east London. The building in Whitechapel had been due to be sold at auction earlier this year, with a bid from a Muslim group to convert it into a mosque and community centre.

"Detectives investigating are aware of the potential change of use of this building and keeping an open mind as to any motivation behind this incident," the force said.

The investigations come as the UK's threat level was raised from "substantial" to "severe" on 30 April, the first increase in more than four years.

The decision followed the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, the day before.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Police London, said they were working alongside Met Police officers to provide "protective security advice and support to various organisations, community venues and businesses".

Flanagan added: "With the threat level now raised to severe, everyone can play their part to keep themselves and their communities safe.

"If you have concerns about someone behaving suspiciously, please report it to us. Your information could help us save lives."