Two Watford residents were arrested on Wednesday evening in connection with an arson attempt against a London synagogue earlier that day, London's Metropolitan Police announced the same night.
A 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested separately under suspicion of a predawn antisemitic arson attack on the Finchley Reform Synagogue.
While the Met had originally believed that the suspects had thrown bottles filled with petrol, CCTV footage obtained by investigators showed the masked suspects placing two bottles next to the window and throwing a brick at the firebombs. Neither bottle ignited when it was smashed, and the suspects fled the scene.
“I hope the swift action by officers today to identify and arrest two people provides some reassurance and demonstrates how seriously we take attacks of this nature," Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said in a statement.
Williams said that increased police patrols, announced in the wake of the incident, would continue.
Finchley Reform Synagogue grateful to police, neighbors for support
Finchley Reform Synagogue said on Facebook on Wednesday that it was grateful for the support from local police, neighbors, and politicians, and resolved to continue to celebrate its community and observe the week's sabbath.
"When something threatens our physical space and our community, it also strengthens our resolve to invest our time and our love in positive expressions of our Judaism and our values," wrote synagogue administrators. "For generations, Jews have responded to hatred with an affirmation of our purpose, refusing to have our identity defined by those who would do us harm."
Finchley MP Sarah Sackman said in a Wednesday statement that the incident was alarming following attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green. Four Hatzola ambulances were set alight in Golders Green on March 23, leading to the arrest of four people.
Williams said that the police understood concerns of the Jewish community, given there was another arson so soon after the Golders Green incident, but there was "no suggestion" that the incidents were "linked."
British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said on X/Twitter on Wednesday night that while there was no damage or injuries, "the evidence of yet more anti-Jewish hatred could not be clearer."
"We are a resilient community and we will never succumb to fear and intimidation," said Mirvis.