Attempted arson attack a bid to scare British Jews, says leader of London synagogue

Police outside Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London after the attempted arson attack. Photograph: Lucy North/PA

A suspected attempted firebomb attack on a north London synagogue was a bid to intimidate British Jews, a leader at the place of worship has said, vowing that they will continue to work to “build bridges”.

The Metropolitan police said a manhunt was under way after two people “wearing dark clothing and balaclavas” approached Finchley Reform Synagogue (FRS) just after midnight on Wednesday and threw a brick and two bottles suspected to contain petrol at the building.