Police investigate fire at former synagogue in east London

Counter-terrorism officers are investigating a suspected arson attack at a former synagogue in east London , the Metropolitan police have said. The Jewish security charity Shomrim said fire crews were called out to the building in Nelson Street, Whitechapel, in the early hours of Tuesday. The incident is one of a number of apparent attacks on Jewish sites in London since late March now being investigated. Keir Starmer is hosting a meeting of senior public figures on Tuesday to drive forward the UK’s response to antisemitism. The Met said officers were called just before 5.15am by the London fire brigade. It is believed that minor damage to gates at the front of the building was caused by fire. CCTV showed that the fire had been started deliberately minutes before, the force said. DCS Brittany Clarke said: “We are taking this incident extremely seriously and we will be working closely with colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing to support the investigation. “The building targeted has not been operational as a synagogue for some years but that will be of little comfort to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and beyond, who are first in my thoughts this morning. …