Counter-terrorism officers are investigating a fire at a former synagogue in Tower Hamlets, east London. The Metropolitan police have confirmed that the incident is currently under investigation, but have released few details. According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out at the former synagogue on Tuesday evening.
The Metropolitan police have said that counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation into the cause of the fire. This suggests that the police are taking the incident seriously and are exploring possible links to extremism. The organisation, which once served the local Jewish community, has been vacant for several years.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of former places of worship in east London. The community has been left shaken by the fire, and many are calling for increased security measures to be put in place to protect these sites. The Metropolitan police have assured the public that they are doing everything in their power to investigate the incident and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Foreign Office has not issued any travel warnings for the area, but has advised British nationals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The incident is currently under investigation, and it is unclear what sparked the fire.
The UK Government has been informed of the incident, and a spokesperson has stated that they are working closely with the Metropolitan police to ensure a thorough investigation is carried out. The Department for Communities and Local Government has also been briefed on the situation.