Arson at East London Synagogue, Nelson Street

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London are working with our local officers to investigate an arson incident at a former synagogue in Tower Hamlets: the East London Synagogue on Nelson Street, E1.

Police were called at 05:16 this morning by the London Fire Brigade. Local officers were quickly on scene with firefighters. Minor damage was caused to a set of gates and a lock at the front of the building. 

Initial CCTV enquiries indicate that the fire was started intentionally at 05:08 and the incident is being treated as arson. 

We are of course taking this incident extremely seriously. Whilst the building targeted has not been operational as a synagogue for some years, that will be of little comfort to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets and Hackney.

This incident follows on from a series of arsons and attempted arsons targeting Jewish Londoners in the north west of the city and officers will be considering any links as their investigation gets underway. Detectives are working quickly to gather evidence and identify those responsible. Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while those enquiries continue.

Anyone with information about this morning’s arson is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 1000/5MAY. 

To receive the latest operational updates on our investigations, visit our News page here: Metropolitan Police.