Suspected arson at Golders Green memorial wall

Suspected arson at Golders Green memorial wallJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAmy ClarkePAPolice were alerted to the suspected arson near the memorial wall on Limes AvenueA suspected arson attack has been carried out at a memorial wall in Golders Green, north London.The Metropolitan Police said the fire at the site in Limes Avenue took place at about 00:15 GMT on Monday and was reported to police the same evening. The wall itself was not damaged.The force said that counter-terrorism police were leading the investigation, but the incident itself is not being treated as terrorism.No arrests have been made, and officers are "keeping an open mind about the motive behind the attack".'Series of attacks'The wall in Golders Green was used as a space to display photos of protesters killed by the Iranian regime during a crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in January.A section also commemorates those killed in the 2023 Hamas attack on the Nova music festival in Israel - with a more recent message of solidarity with the Jewish community attached to a nearby tree.Ali Vahedi, a volunteer from the Miga Rally community group that set up the memorial and organise security to watch the wall, said: "Last week a drone was here, people come and throw things like tomatoes and now last night, after this fire happened, it is getting more dangerous."We started security here three months ago because we did not feel safe."Police initially suspected the fire had been started by a candle, but CCTV footage showed a person using a liquid to try to start a blaze, Vahedi saidThe 50-year-old from Barnet, added: "The individual used a liquid to start the fire, the police told me. The fire started from the end of the table and it spread everywhere."We are lucky someone saw the fire and stopped it. Now we have the same feeling as the Jewish community. We are not safe."Fellow volunteer Vahlid Baghi, 49, called the alleged incident "shocking".Det Ch Supt Luke Williams, who leads policing in north-west London, said: "We recognise that this incident will heighten concerns in the Golders Green area, where residents have already faced a series of attacks."Since last month's attack in Golders Green, we have stepped up our work to reassure communities."This includes armed police patrols as well as deployments of officers from Project Servator, who are specially trained to spot anyone who may be planning or preparing to commit criminal acts."PAPhotos from the scene show fire damage to a cabinetIn a statement, the Miga Rally said the memorial is a "peaceful place of remembrance" and described the alleged arson attack as "deeply troubling".A group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia – the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right – has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks on Jewish sites in north London.The Metropolitan Police said that since the first attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on 23 March, officers had arrested a total of 26 people.Other incidents have included an ignited container being thrown at a Persian-language media organisation and the discovery of jars of a non-hazardous substance in Kensington Gardens.Eight people have been charged with arson-related offences and a 17-year-old boy has admitted to a synagogue arson attack.Anyone with information relating to the attack on the memorial wall is asked to call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.London

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