Several arson attacks targeting places linked to the Jewish community have been reported in recent weeks in north London. While investigators favor a trail that is still open, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounces “heinous” acts and calls for a firm judicial response to attacks which greatly worry the local community.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “shocked” this Sunday, April 19, after several arson attacks targeting places linked to the Jewish community in London in recent weeks. In a message posted on X, he denounced “heinous” acts and said that “attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.”
I am appalled by recent attempted antisemitic arson attacks in North London.
This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.
We are increasing visible policing and those responsible will be found and brought to justice.…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 19, 2026
A series of attacks in the City of London
On the night of Saturday April 18 to Sunday April 19, an attack targeted a synagogue in northwest London. Police say officers on patrol discovered a broken window at the Kenton United Synagogue. Inside, they noticed the presence of smoke with a bottle containing a flammable liquid being thrown through the window. No injuries were reported.
In a press releasethe police specified that the investigation is being carried out by the counter-terrorism services in London. She stressed that at this stage, this is not an act classified as terrorist. “We are keeping an open mind about the motives,” police said, adding that no arrests had yet been made.
An increase in the number of attacks
Earlier in the week, another fire targeted a business in Hendon. According to the police, an individual had left a bag containing three bottles also filled with flammable liquid before setting it on fire. The building suffered only minor damage and no casualties were reported.
In recent weeks, Jewish charities, businesses and places of worship have been targeted in a series of shameful antisemitic attacks.
Jewish Londoners must be able to live their lives free from the fear of harassment, intimidation or violence. The fact they cannot do so is…
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) April 19, 2026
These incidents join a series of similar attacks in north-west London in recent weeks, including the burning of emergency vehicles belonging to a Jewish organization and an attempted fire on a synagogue in Finchley. Several investigations are underway, some entrusted to the anti-terrorist police due to similarities between the facts.
I remain in regular contact with the Met Police, who have stepped up resources following a series of arson attacks in north west London. There will be a significantly increased police presence in the area, including around Jewish places of worship and businesses.
There is no…
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) April 19, 2026
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also reacted, saying that “anti-Semitism has no place in our city” and promising that the perpetrators will be prosecuted to the “full extent of the law”.
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