British counterterrorism police are investigating an attempted arson attack on a building in London that was once used by the Jewish community. The incident occurred late Friday in the Hendon area, near Golders Green, where four Jewish charity ambulances were torched earlier this month.
A man was seen approaching a row of shops with a plastic bag containing three bottles of fluid. He attempted to light the contents, which failed to ignite fully, before fleeing the scene. No arrests have been made, and police have not yet linked the incident to other recent attacks on Jewish and Iranian premises in the city.
The building targeted in the attack was previously used by the Jewish education charity Jewish Futures. The Community Security Trust, a charity that provides safety advice to Jewish groups, reported minimal damage to a nearby doorway. Police have urged the public to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation.
The incident is being investigated by Counter Terrorism Policing London, though it is not currently being treated as a terrorist attack. However, the similarities to other recent incidents have led to a heightened police presence in the area.
An Islamist group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), has claimed responsibility for the attack, posting a video on Telegram showing a person setting a bag alight outside the building. The group has also claimed responsibility for several other attacks in Europe, including the arson of Jewish ambulances in Golders Green. Police are keeping an open mind about the motive behind the attack.
Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London stated that while the incident is not being linked to other recent attacks at this stage, the similarities warrant further investigation. She urged anyone with information to contact authorities immediately.
The attack comes amid a series of incidents targeting Jewish and Iranian premises in London, raising concerns about rising anti-Semitism and extremism in the UK.