Arabic version: الشرطة تطلق تحقيقًا لمكافحة الإرهاب في حريق كنيس شرق لندن
According to BBC News,
Counter-terrorism police are investigating a suspected arson attack at a former synagogue. The fire was reported at 05:16 BST on Tuesday at the former East London Central Synagogue building in Whitechapel. Initial CCTV footage indicated the fire was started deliberately.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern, as it follows a series of attacks and attempted attacks on the Jewish community in recent weeks. Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing in the area, stated that the police are taking this situation “extremely seriously” and will collaborate with counter-terrorism units.
Although the building targeted has not been operational as a synagogue since 2020, Clarke emphasized that this fact provides little comfort to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and beyond. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing, mentioned that officers are examining possible links between this fire and other recent attacks on the Jewish community in north and north-west London.
Flanagan also noted that officers are providing security advice and support to various organizations, community venues, and businesses in the area. With the threat level now raised to severe, she urged everyone to contribute to community safety measures. The London Fire Brigade reported that firefighters extinguished a small fire affecting the exterior of the building, and the cause is currently under investigation alongside the Metropolitan Police. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
