Barnet's Mayor has condemned a series of recent arson attacks, expressing solidarity with affected communities and praising their resilience.
During the Annual Council meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Mayor Danny Rich highlighted concerning incidents, including an arson attack in March that destroyed four ambulances belonging to the volunteer life-saving service Hatzolah, and also targeted properties within the Jewish community. This was followed by an attempted arson attack on the memorial wall of the Iranian community in Golders Green, and a further assault in the area this week
, indicating ongoing incidents.
An attack on one part of our community is an attack on us all,
Mayor Rich stated. We are resilient and we support each other. We stand in full solidarity with our Jewish, Iranian and Muslim residents and with all other communities who call Barnet home.
The Mayor thanked the Metropolitan Police, the Community Security Trust, Shomrim, and local faith leaders for their efforts in protecting and uniting the borough's diverse communities. He stressed that the priority remains the safety and security of Barnet's residents and bringing those responsible for the outrages to justice.
He also noted the significant support shown by His Majesty King Charles III, who visited Golders Green to reaffirm his support for the Jewish community following the recent anti-Semitic incidents. The King met with victims and community volunteers, a gesture the Mayor described as a profound gesture from His Majesty making a highly visible commitment to combating anti-Semitism in the United Kingdom.
The attack on Finchee Reform Synagogue was also mentioned, though the extent of damage was not specified. The Mayor stated, We are and remain resolute that hate crime in any form will not be tolerated in our borough.
Further details on the meeting's agenda and reports can be found in the Public reports pack.
