LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) – British counter-terrorism police are investigating an arson attack in London on Friday night in an area with a significant Jewish community.
The incident, which caused minor damage, follows a spate of similar attacks, including a nearby blaze last month that destroyed four Jewish community ambulances and was treated by police as an antisemitic hate crime.
Police said they were not treating Friday’s arson as a terrorist incident, but counter-terrorism officers were leading the investigation because of similarities with the earlier attacks.
“A man was seen to approach a row of shops with a plastic bag containing what was later found to be three bottles containing fluid,” police said in a statement.
“He placed the bag next to the building and lit the items in the bag. The bottles failed to fully ignite and the man fled the scene.”
Police said they were not formally linking the latest attack to others at this stage and keeping an open mind about the motive.
“I know this latest incident will add to fears in the community,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area. He said police patrols, including armed officers, would be increased.
(Reporting by William James. Editing by Mark Potter)
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