Police have ordered extra patrols after a series of arson attacks

A LEADING figure in Camden’s Jewish community has warned of an “ongoing campaign of intimidation and terror,” after a series of arson attacks on Jewish sites in north-west London.

Raymond Simonson the chief executive of the JW3 centre in Finchley Road, said the incidents had left many in the community shocked and distressed after an escalation in attacks over the recent weeks.

He said: “It’s hard to overstate how shocking and distressing it is for British Jewish communities to be facing this ongoing campaign of intimidation and terror right now.

“If the aim of these heinous acts is to break our spirit or prevent us from living full Jewish lives, then those who wish to cause us harm have failed.

“We refuse to hide our Jewish identities away, and will work even harder to ensure that British Jews people can continue to engage fully with Jewish life, and actively contribute to wider society.”

The Met’s counter-terrorism unit is investigating six separate incidents in recent weeks and have said they are using drones and extra patrols to protect synagogues and other Jewish sites including those in Camden.

The arson attacks in London include one at the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow over the weekend.

Mr Simonson said: “I am saddened by those who have stayed silent whilst these attacks on our communities have increased, or who have gaslit us or played down the seriousness of the situation.”

But he said there had been support from local police, government ministers and Hampstead and Highgate MP Tulip Siddiq.