Man charged with arson at former synagogue in east London

A man has been charged as part of an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London into an arson attack at a former synagogue in east London.

Moses Edwards 45 (12.01.81) of Wanstead, who was arrested on 10 May, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life at the former synagogue in Tower Hamlets.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 12 May.

Police were called at 05:16hrs on Tuesday, 5 May by the London Fire Brigade to reports of a fire at a former synagogue in Nelson Street, E1, Tower Hamlets.

Officers were quickly on scene with firefighters. Minor damage was caused to a set of gates and a lock at the front of the building. No one was injured.

CCTV enquiries indicated that the fire was started intentionally at around 05:10hrs. Given the nature and location of the incident, the investigation has been led by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

The former synagogue is in the process of being sold to a local Somali Muslim organisation.

A 52-year-old woman, who was also arrested as part of the investigation on 10 May, has been released on bail to a date in August.