Counter-terror police investigate whether Iran is paying British 'thugs for hire' to carry out arson attacks on London synagogues

Published: 00:06, 20 April 2026 | Updated: 00:06, 20 April 2026 Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Iran is paying British 'thugs for hire' to commit arson after the latest attack on a synagogue. The revelation came from senior officers standing on the north London street where a firebomber struck at midnight on Saturday – the latest of several anti-Jewish incidents in the capital over the past week. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis called the assault on the Kenton United Synagogue 'a cowardly arson attack', adding that 'a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum'. Standing outside the synagogue yesterday, the Metropolitan Police's Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said: 'Counter Terrorism Policing are leading all of the investigations into these incidents. Similar in nature, they have been arsons targeting Israeli and Jewish linked premises in London. 'Most have been claimed online by the group Ashab al-Yamin. This same group has claimed several incidents over recent months across Europe.' She added: 'I have spoken previously about the Iranian regime's use of criminal proxies – and we are considering whether this tactic is being used here. 'This is recruiting violence as a service, and the people who conduct that violence often have little or no allegiance to the cause, and are taking quick cash for their crimes.' Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes also called for people from 'all faiths' to speak out against anti-Semitism. Officers manned a cordon near the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, north-west London, where an attempted arson attack was mounted on Saturday Police also attended Finchley Reform Synagogue last week after an attempted arson attempt Mr Jukes added that 'thugs for hire' carrying out such attacks were playing 'a mug's game' leading to 'long prison sentences'. Thousands of extra patrols are being mounted – with a specially deployed officer raising the alarm at the Kenton synagogue, in Harrow, in the early hours of yesterday. It is understood one saw a smashed window at the front of the synagogue, which lies between a school and a children's playground at the end of a broad cul-de-sac. A video showing a sinister figure throwing a firebomb through the window, while another person films them, was later posted online by a group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia – the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Righteous, unknown until a month ago. The video, posted on a channel on the Telegram app said to be associated with Iran's Islamist regime, featured the group's logo, an arm brandishing an assault rifle, and messages in Arabic, English, and Hebrew. The English message proclaims: 'Kenton United Synagogue in London is one of the centers of Zionist influence in the British capital.' It goes on to identify the rabbi and the female chair of the synagogue, describing them as 'key instruments of this Zionist base in London'. The latest attacks followed a similar effort targeting ambulances operated by a Jewish charity in Golders Green, north London, which were set on fire in March In the event, the chilling attack soon fizzled out, with damage caused only to the medical room at the synagogue. Police stopped a service going ahead to continue investigations yesterday morning, but worshippers attended at a different location in large numbers. The attack came in the wake of the torching of four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, north-west London, four weeks ago, similarly claimed by Ashab al-Yamin in a video circulated on Telegram. Last Wednesday a man and woman were arrested after petrol bombs were thrown at the Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London. There was also an attempted attack on an anti-Iranian regime media company in Wembley. There were fears of attacks on London's Israeli embassy as the weekend dawned and there was an abortive arson attack on a Jewish-linked building in Hendon, north-west London, on Saturday. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'appalled' by the attacks. He said: 'This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.' Kenton synagogue's Rabbi Yehuda Black, in his post for 22 years, said: 'It's a terrible thing – but we shouldn't be detracted from standing up as Jewish, in the face of evil.' United Synagogue president Saul Taylor, who presides over 60 synagogues across Britain, said of the attack: 'The Government and local police forces have responded well – but more must be done to prevent these attacks occurring at all. 'The Prime Minister should declare publicly what the Jewish community has known for some time: This is an epidemic of anti-Jewish hate.' No comments have so far been submitted. 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