A 45-year-old man from Wanstead has been charged in connection with an alleged arson attack at a former synagogue in Whitechapel. Moses Edwards is accused of setting a fire at the East London Central Synagogue, a historic building that has been vacant since 2020, on May 5.
Details of the Incident
Police and firefighters responded to the scene on Nelson Street shortly after 5:15 am, where they found damage to a set of gates and a lock at the front entrance of the building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the early morning incident. The Metropolitan Police stated that an urgent investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing London resulted in Edwards' arrest on May 10. He has since been charged with arson with intent to endanger life and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 12.
Related Arrests and Context
A 52-year-old woman was also detained in connection with the incident but has been released on bail until August. The East London Central Synagogue, which ceased operations in 2020, was put up for auction in February with an asking price of £2 million. It is currently in the process of being sold to a local Somali Muslim organisation.
This fire follows a series of arson and attempted arson attacks targeting Jewish communities in northwest London. The Met launched its most intensive community operations after the initial burning of Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green in March. Subsequent attempted arsons occurred at Finchley Reform Synagogue and outside the offices of a Persian media company.
Broader Pattern of Attacks
On April 27, a memorial wall in Golders Green was allegedly targeted in an arson attack, leading to the arrest of a man and woman on suspicion of arson. Days later, two Jewish men were stabbed on Golders Green Road. Essa Suleiman, 45, from Camberwell, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder in connection with that incident, as well as an earlier stabbing in Great Dover Street, Southwark.
The Metropolitan Police have deployed thousands of additional officer shifts to protect Londoners and reassure affected communities. This includes armed police patrols and officers from Project Servator, who are trained to identify individuals planning or preparing to commit criminal acts.
