Counter-terrorism police have arrested a man and woman after a former synagogue in London was targeted in a suspected arson attack.
The 45-year-old man and 52-year-old woman were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson and have been taken into police custody, the Metropolitan Police said.
Officers were called on Tuesday at 5.16am by the London Fire Brigade to reports of a blaze at a historic building in Nelson Street in Whitechapel, east London.
Minor damage to a set of gates and a lock at the front of the building was found, while there were no reports of any people injured.
Initial CCTV enquiries indicate the fire was started intentionally at around 5.10am.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, which is leading the investigation, described the arrests as a 'significant step' and said enquiries are ongoing.
She said: 'Our aim continues to arrest and charge all those responsible for the arson attacks and other incidents targeted at Jewish, Israeli and Iranian sites in recent weeks. We will not tolerate these hateful attacks on communities.
'While counter-terrorism officers continue to work closely with Metropolitan Police colleagues to provide protective security advice and support to various organisations, community venues and businesses, everyone can play their part to keep themselves and their communities safe.'
Forensic investigators have been carrying out probes at a former synagogue on Nelson Street in Whitechapel, east London
Officers were called on Tuesday at 5.16am by the London Fire Brigade to reports of a blaze at a former synagogue in Nelson Street in Tower Hamlets, east London
'If you have concerns about someone behaving suspiciously, please report it to us. Your information could help us save lives,' Commander Flanagan added.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference CAD 1000/5MAY.
The incident followed a series of attacks on Jewish community sites and the recent Golders Green stabbings, and occurred on the same day Sir Keir Starmer hosted a summit on anti-Semitism.
The suspected arson attack appears to be the latest in a 'series of deeply shocking and disturbing incidents targeting the Jewish community', the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Tuesday.
Det Chief Supt Brittany Clarke, who leads policing in the area, said earlier this week: 'We are taking this incident extremely seriously and we will be working closely with colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing to support the investigation.
'The building targeted has not been operational as a synagogue for some years but that will be of little comfort to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and beyond, who are first in my thoughts this morning.
'Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while enquiries into this incident continue.'
The synagogue, founded in 1923, closed in 2020 and was put up for sale this year.
Police and fire officers are seen outside the former East London Central Synagogue in Nelson Street in Whitechapel, east London, following the suspected arson attack
A local Muslim group, the Ashaadibi Education & Cultural Centre community in Whitechapel, put down a £235,000 deposit and launched an appeal to buy the £2million site, with plans for a mosque, community and education centre.
Leon Silver, 76, president of the former synagogue, said on Tuesday: 'From what I understand, the fire was on the gates and luckily it didn’t spread to the inner door.
'There was also, I gather, an attempt to get through the window, break the window, but the wide grapples in front prevented it.'
Speaking near to the building, semi-retired actor Mr Silver said 'whatever happens in the Middle East always filters down here and it shouldn't'.
He told of waking up to multiple messages about the suspected arson attack, saying: 'I can't describe it. I feel awful.
'I woke up this morning, I saw four messages flashing on my answering machine and my first thought was somebody had died.'
Mr Silver said he found out about the attack at about 9.30am, adding: 'It was so shocking and I found myself trembling. Even when I got here I was still trembling.
'I mean, it's an awful thing to happen – and in Tower Hamlets. I was used to hearing about these things in Golders Green.
'We have had incidents here over the years, passers-by shouting, but nothing on this level, someone trying to burn the synagogue.'
He said: 'What on earth does that synagogue have to do with what’s happening thousands of miles from here?'
Since the recent arson attack in Golders Green in north London, the Met Police says it has launched the most intensive set of community operations the force has ever run.
There have been a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London, as well as the double stabbing in Golders Green that is being treated as an act of terrorism.
Most of the attacks have been claimed by a group called Hayi that is suspected to be backed by Iran in a bid to sow division in Britain.