Terror police investigating suspected arson attack on Golders Green memorial wall

Terror police are investigating after a suspected arson attack on a memorial wall in north London.

The fire broke out in Limes Avenue, Golders Green, in the early hours of Monday.

The wall is near a Jewish Centre and shows Iranians killed protesting against the country's regime.

Police said the investigation was being led by counter-terror officers - although it's not yet being treated as a terror incident.

The wall itself was not damaged and no arrests have been made. Police said the suspected arson attack took place at around 12.15am on Monday, and was reported later that day just before 7.30pm.

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: "We recognise that this incident will heighten concerns in the Golders Green area, where residents have already faced a series of attacks.

"We are working closely with community organisations and leaders, and want to reassure them that our protective security operation continues."

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said the group was "deeply concerned" by the incident.

"We stand in solidarity with our British Persian friends and neighbours," he added on social media. "Our country and our communities are under attack, potentially by a foreign state.

"We are grateful to the police and politicians for their support but a new muscularity is needed to confront and defeat this shared challenge."

The incident comes after four people were charged over an alleged arson attack on ambulances run by a Jewish charity in March.

A 17-year-old also last week pleaded guilty to arson after an attack earlier this month on a synagogue in Harrow, northwest London.

Days earlier, on 15 April, there was also an attempted arson on a synagogue in nearby Finchley.

Meanwhile, police said today that two men arrested after a non-hazardous powder was found near the Israeli embassy in Kensington Gardens on 17 April have been released.

Police said a 39-year-old arrested under the Terrorism Act in Ealing, west London, had been released without charge.

A 37-year-old arrested in Devon on Sunday - on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts - has been bailed until July.

(c) Sky News 2026: Terror police investigating suspected arson attack on Golders Green memorial wall