Man ‘throws Molotov cocktail’ near synagogue in Golders Green in north London

Man ‘throws Molotov cocktail’ near synagogue in Golders Green in north London as firefighters race to scene and police cordon off street

  • Police have shut down Golders Green Road in the north west of the capital today
  • Councillor Alex Prager tweeted it ‘appears to have involved a Molotov cocktail’
  • Shocking footage shows firefighters battling a small fire as police run down road

A Molotov cocktail has reportedly been thrown near a synagogue in London.

Police have shut down Golders Green Road in the north of the capital and other emergency services are on the scene.

Councillor for West Hendon Alex Prager tweeted: ‘Police and fire brigade on site. Appears to have involved a Molotov cocktail next to a synagogue on The Riding.’

Shocking footage shows firefighters battling a small fire as people can be heard discussing whether it was caused by a petrol bomb.

One says: ‘Why did he wait all that time to throw that little bottle?’ Dozens of police and firemen can be seen running down the road.

A witness told Jewish News: ‘There were lots of police of different varieties and a chopper going overheard.

‘The road has been cordoned off from Ravenscroft to Be Kosher and we have seen riot police and numerous unmarked cars.

‘The police have said it is a ‘life and death situation’ but we have not heard more information.’

CST, a charity helping UK Jews with security and antisemitism, tweeted: ‘CST is aware of an ongoing incident in Golders Green that emergency services are attending and appear to have contained.

‘We are working with police to determine the nature of the incident, which is currently unclear. Please avoid the area whilst the police manage the situation.’

Police said: ‘Police were called at 12.28 to The Riding #GoldersGreen #NW11 to a report of a concern for safety.

‘Officers attended and found a man with a vehicle. The man is believed to have set fire to an object before being detained.

‘No members of the public or officers are believed to have been injured. Enquiries are ongoing.

‘The man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences. As a precaution, nearby roads have been closed.’

More follows