JW3, also known as the Jewish Community Centre, is a community centre in Finchley Road, serving as a hub of cultural, educational and social activities.
It was mentioned in relation to arrests earlier this month relating to the suspected surveillance of sites and and individuals linked to London’s Jewish community.
Four suspects, one Iranian and three dual British-Iranian nationals, were arrested on March 6 under the National Security Act on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Two were later released without charge.
JW3 released a statement reassuring the community that it will remain open despite these concerns, and events and activities will continue as planned. The venue added that it will continue to work with the Metropolitan Police, and the Community Security Trust.
The statement also outlined the measures that the community centre takes to ensure visitors and staff remain safe, including an expenditure of £600,000 on security.
Four ambulances owned by volunteer Jewish ambulance service Hatzalah were damaged in an antisemitic arson attack in nearby Golders Green at around 1.40am on Monday.
Monday’s blaze in Highfield Court destroyed the ambulances, causing oxygen cylinders on board to explode.
CCTV footage shared online appears to show three people approaching the ambulances before the fire breaks out, and then fleeing.
The Metropolitan Police are treating the incident as arson and an antisemitic hate crime, and say they are looking for three people.
The attack has not been declared one of terrorism, but the Met’s counter-terrorism unit is leading the investigation.
The Metropolitan Police urged the community to stay vigilant and report anything that seems unusual to them, and said it will be “stepping up” for Jewish communities following the attacks.
