A suspected attempted firebomb attack on a north London synagogue was a bid to intimidate British Jews, a leader at the place of worship has said, vowing that they will continue to work to “build bridges”.

The Metropolitan police said a manhunt was under way after two people “wearing dark clothing and balaclavas” approached Finchley Reform Synagogue (FRS) just after midnight on Wednesday and threw a brick and two bottles suspected to contain petrol at the building.

Officers said neither of the bottles ignited and no damage or injuries were reported. The incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.

Cantor Zöe Jacobs, the senior clergy of FRS, said the synagogue was “a proud, progressive and welcoming space for all. We not only hold Jewish services and celebrations, but within our community we host a nursery, a homeless shelter, and are a safe place for refugees to gather.

“Last night, two men tried to attack our synagogue and were unsuccessful.

“This is clearly an attempt to intimidate the British Jewish community, but we will not be deterred by these cowardly acts. Instead, we will continue to prioritise building bridges across the wider Barnet community.”

The Community Security Trust (CST), which works to monitor and prevent antisemitic incidents, said it was working closely with police and supporting the synagogue. It urged anyone with information to contact officers.

Franco Di Landro, 56, who lives nearby, said: “Last night I was lying on the couch watching the TV when I heard an almighty bang – it was scary … It felt like a meteorite hit the ground.”

Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, the co-leaders of the Movement for Progressive Judaism, of which FRS is a member, said: “This incident is part of a wider rise in antisemitism that is affecting Jewish communities across the country.

“We will continue to work with the police and CST to prioritise the safety, resilience and confidence of all our communities.”

The Jewish Leadership Council, which represents Jewish organisations in the UK, said it was “horrified” by the incident, while the Holocaust Educational Trust said the attempted attack was part of “a broader pattern of rising antisemitism, which must be confronted with urgency”.

The incident is being investigated by detectives from the Met’s North West Command Unit, with support from specialist detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Det Ch Supt Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: “We are aware of the significant concern that this incident will cause in the community, particularly in the wake of the arson attack in Golders Green last month.

“We are working with the affected synagogue and continuing to meet with community leaders.

“I would like to reassure the community that we take incidents of this nature extremely seriously and detectives are working urgently to identify the suspects. If you have any CCTV, dashcam footage or information that could help officers, please contact the police.

“Residents can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area over the coming days. We have brought in additional officers and would urge anyone with concerns to speak to them.”

Sarah Sackman, the MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said in a post on X: “This shocking attempt to harm a local synagogue follows a series of alarming attacks on the Jewish community in Finchley and Golders Green.”

She added: “As your local MP, and as a member of the community, I refuse to allow this to become the ‘new normal’.

“British Jews must be free to go about their lives without fear – whether taking their children to nursery or attending synagogue. We do not want to live behind ever-higher walls.”

On Wednesday afternoon the road approaching the synagogue was cordoned off by police, and three officers could be seen patrolling the road. Outside the building, two security officers were seen standing at the door with a police van nearby.

Reacting to the incident in a post on X:, Finchley Church End’s Cllr Josh Mastin-Lee said:“I visited Finchley Reform Synagogue for their Holocaust memorial day workshop in January. A pillar of the community that deserves far better. These attacks must end.”

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said he was grateful to police for their “swift response” to the “appalling” incident.

In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday afternoon, the synagogue wrote that “the emotional and psychological impact” of the attempted attack was “significant” to Jews in the community, adding: “We are extremely grateful for the solidarity of our neighbours, local police and politicians. They help us remember that we are a community who would always choose to build bridges rather than walls.”

Anyone with information should contact the police with reference 1685/15APR, or reach out to Crimestoppers.