Counter-terror police in the UK are looking into whether the series of arson attacks against Jewish sites in north London have been carried out by Iranian proxies.
It comes after officers on “deterrence and reassurance patrols” in the wake of the previous incidents spotted damage to a window of Kenton United Synagogue, Harrow, at around midnight on Sunday.
Vicki Evans, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said the incidents have been “similar in nature”, targeting Israeli and Jewish premises within London.
Evans said most have been claimed online by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has recently claimed attacks across Europe, including at Jewish and Israeli premises, Evans said.
Video that appears to be published by the group, also known as Hayi, shows a person in dark clothing lighting an item and throwing it at the Kenton United Synagogue before running away.
It was filmed by another person behind the metal fence surrounding the building.
The clip named leaders at the place of worship and accused it of being “one of the centres of Zionist influence in the British capital”.
Evans continued: “I’ve spoken previously about the Iranian regime’s use of criminal proxies, and we’re considering whether this tactic is being used here in London.
“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.”
She added: “I want to be clear, irrespective of the motivation of this group (Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia), to those who are facilitating this activity on their behalf and those who are committing the acts, we will not tolerate activity that seeks to intimidate and harm our communities, you will not succeed in creating division and hate.
“As the conflict in the Middle East continues to evolve, counter-terrorism policing and our partners remain alive to the threat of Iranian hostile activity in the UK.
“We are aware of public reporting that suggests this group may have links to Iran – as you would expect we will continue to explore that question as our investigation evolves.”
Earlier this week Julian Lanches, from the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, told the Financial Times Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia was “unusual”.
The think tank’s analysis showed the group had “no known references, neither online nor offline” before March 9th.
Its sudden appearance meant “there are considerable doubts that they are a genuine, serious terror group with offline or internal structures”, he added.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia claimed the torching of four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, north-west London, on March 23rd, in a video circulated on Telegram.
Kensington Gardens was closed on Friday after a video from the group showed a target over an image of the Israeli embassy and individuals in hazmat suits flying drones.
Suspicious items found near the embassy were deemed “non-hazardous” but detectives are investigating if the items, including two jars containing a powdered substance, were linked to the film.
Later that day, the group took responsibility for the attempted arson on a former Jewish charity building in Hendon, Brent.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is “appalled by recent attempted antisemitic arson attacks in North London”.
He added in his statement on X, formerly Twitter: “This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.”
Number 10 is in contact with local leaders in the Jewish community following the latest attack, the eSporty News understands.
I am appalled by recent attempted antisemitic arson attacks in North London.
This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.
We are increasing visible policing and those responsible will be found and brought to justice.…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 19, 2026
A “bottle with some sort of accelerant had been thrown through the window” and smoke was seen inside a room at the Kenton synagogue, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said previously.
Minor smoke damage to an internal room was caused but no injuries or significant structural damage, the Community Security Trust (CST) said.
Yehuda Black, the synagogue’s rabbi, said the item was thrown into the medical room.
The building is close to a school and children’s playground, and police were seen searching a black SUV nearby on Sunday morning.
The morning service was moved to another location but was still busy, Saul Taylor, the president of the charity behind the synagogue said.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called it “a cowardly arson attack” and said “a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum”.
His statement shared on X said: “This sustained attack on our community’s ability to worship and live in safety is an attack on the values that bind us all together.”
