Counter-terrorism police are investigating a suspected arson attack at a former synagogue.

Jewish security charity Shomrim said that fire crews were called out to the building in Nelson Street, Whitechapel, east London, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The incident is being investigated alongside a number of apparent attacks on Jewish sites in London since late March.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called just before 5.15am by the London Fire Brigade, and that minor damage had been caused to a set of gates and a lock at the front of the building.

CCTV showed that the fire had ben started deliberately minutes before, the force said.

Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke said: “We are taking this incident extremely seriously and we will be working closely with colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing to support the investigation.

“The building targeted has not been operational as a synagogue for some years but that will be of little comfort to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and beyond, who are first in my thoughts this morning.

“Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while inquiries into this incident continue.”

The former synagogue in Whitechapel was due to be sold at auction earlier this year, with a separate bid by a Muslim group to buy the building and convert it into a mosque and community centre.

Since late March there have been a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London, as well as a double stabbing in Golders Green that is being treated as an act of terrorism.

Most of the attacks have been claimed by a group called Hayi, that is suspected to be backed by Iran in a bid to sow division in Britain.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is hosting a meeting of senior public figures on Tuesday to drive forward the UK’s response to antisemitism.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing London, said: “This incident follows on from a number of arsons and attempted arsons targeting Jewish Londoners in the north-west of the city and we will be considering any potential links as their investigation gets under way.

“Detectives are already working quickly to gather evidence and identify those responsible and I would urge anyone with CCTV or information that could assist detectives to contact police.

“Counter-terrorism officers continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police in response to the various incidents.

“We’re providing protective security advice and support to various organisations, community venues and businesses.

“With the (terrorism) threat level now raised to severe, everyone can play their part to keep themselves and their communities safe.

“If you see or hear anything that doesn’t look or feel right, then please report it to us. Your information could help us save lives.”

Anyone with information about the Nelson Street arson can contact police on 101 quoting reference CAD 1000/5MAY.

The Evening Standard has highlighted how a young British born Bangladeshi feared for his life as he suffered a brutal assault in East London. (Details of the attack were initially put up on Facebook by a relative of the victim and they showed a brutal assault on the young man. Facebook later decided to remove all traces of the postings.)

The 26 year old was parked and was waiting in Empson Street in Bow at around 2 pm on Sunday, December the 20th.

As the father of two was parked waiting to pick up his partner and his two young children, he stated that he noticed that a van had slowed down near his vehicle and that the occupants had allegedly made racist remarks at him as they went by. The van went onto park nearby the victim’s vehicle as he continued to wait for his family.

The father of two got out of his vehicle as he saw the individuals park their van and he decided to walk over to the two males who had by now, got out of the van. What ensued, was a brutal assault on the British born Bangladeshi.

The victim stated to the Evening Standard that,

“They called me a Paki and Muslim. Without any communication from me, one of them punched me on my nose and the other had me in a headlock. I thought I was going to pass out.

“I got hit on my leg with a ratchet, which has broken my leg and I’ve had to have an operation on it.

“They stamped on my head and all over me like a football.

“I was then getting kicked and kicked and it lasted for about seven or eight minutes.

“I was in fear of my life.”

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