COUNTER-TERRORISM police are leading an investigation into an arson attack on the former site of a Jewish business in North London.
A man was seen approaching the row of shops in Hendon last night with a plastic bag which he placed next to the building and set on fire.
Police are investigating the scene of an attempted arson attack last night Credit: Getty
A close-up of some damage to a doorway after a man tried to start a fire Credit: Getty
Fortunately, the bottles – later found to contain fluid – didn’t fully ignite and the man fled the scene.
Pictures from the scene appear to show scorch marks outside a building that used to belong to Jewish Futures, a charity for Jewish educational brands.
Counter-terrorism have launched a probe “due to similarities” with several other recent incidents in the area.
The Metropolitan Police were called to the scene at 10.31pm on Friday and fire crews also attended.
Commander Helen Flanagan, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “At this stage last night’s arson is not being linked to other incidents in the north-west London area over the last week or last month’s arson in Golders Green, but counter-terrorism officers are leading due to the similarities of each attack.
“I would ask that anyone with information or footage that could help our investigation gets in touch with police as soon as possible.
“We will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible for this and other, similar, hateful acts against London’s communities.”
A spokesperson for the Met added: “It is not being treated as a terrorist incident and officers are keeping an open mind about the motive behind the attack.
“No arrests have been made at this time.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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