Police in London are investigating a suspected arson in the city’s east end as a possible antisemitic hate crime, the UK Telegraph reported.
The Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade responded to a fire at a 3-story house in Hackney at 12:45 p.m. on March 20. A man in his 60s who suffered minor injuries in the fire was detained at the scene after making threatening and antisemitic comments. The unnamed suspect was later arrested on suspicion of arson with the intent of endangering life.
Four others were injured in the fire.
According to the London Fire Brigade, eight engines and about 60 firefighters were called to the 3-story house to fight the fire that destroyed two floors of the structure.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway told reporters that when the man was arrested, he made several threats, including some that were antisemitic, prompting the Met to investigate the arson as a possible hate crime.
According to DCS Conway, investigators believe the motive of the fire was a “localized housing-related issue.” He said there was “no indication” so far that the arsonist was motivated by “specific local or global events.”
According to a witness at the scene, he heard a loud bang coming from the house and when he came out, he saw the house was on fire and an injured man “covered in blood” standing outside.
DCS Conway said that in anticipation of the Jewish holiday of Purim, the Met had a robust policing plan in place that included increased patrols and police visibility.
That same day, Israeli Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli warned about the dangers of Britain’s open immigration and described London as the most antisemitic city in the West.
Chikli said the open antisemitism from Islamic extremists and far-left radicals has made London an unsafe city for Jews.
According to the Community Security Trust, antisemitism in the UK hit an all-time high in 2023 following the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
