Two people have been arrested as part of a counter-terrorism investigation into a suspected arson attack at a memorial wall in Golders Green.

A 46-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman were arrested on Monday morning at an address in Romford, east London, where officers were also carrying outsearches, the Metropolitan police said.

They were both arrested on suspicion of arson and were taken to a London police station, where they remain in custody.

Scotland Yard previously said the investigation was being led by counter-terrorism police but it was not being treated as a terrorist incident. The memorial wall was not damaged.

The wall, which is near a Jewish centre, is a tribute to thousands of protesters killed in a crackdown in Iran in January.

Over the past month, counter-terrorism officers have arrested more than two dozen people as part of investigations into attacks on Jewish-linked premises, including the torching of ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer emergency service Hatzola in Golders Green on 23 March.

The Metropolitan police said the suspected arson attack on the memorial wall took place at around 12.15am on Monday and was reported just before 7.30pm that day.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “We are committed to protecting vulnerable communities in the capital. Detectives have been conducting extensive enquiries since this incident was reported to us last week and these two arrests are the result of that hard work.

“CTP London is working on a number of investigations into incidents that have taken place in north-west London since the attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green in March. We have made a total of 30 arrests and nine people have been charged.

“Counter-terrorism officers continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan police in response to the various incidents. We’re providing protective security advice and support to various organisations, community venues and businesses.

“With the threat level now raised to severe, everyone can play their part to keep themselves and their communities safe. If you have concerns about someone behaving suspiciously, please report it to us. Your information could help us save lives.”