TWO kosher restaurants have been targeted by arsonists in Prestwich.

Police are treating the incidents as anti-Semitic hate crimes after the first blaze happened at Ta'am Restaurant in Bury New Road, shortly before midnight on Friday, June 2.

Two offenders approached and threw a milk carton filled with petrol and a lit rag at the premises.

The makeshift petrol container failed to ignite before one of the offenders threw a large stone at the front window, smashing it in the process.

The second happened at around 3.30am today, when the offenders approached JS Restaurant in Kings Road and forced open a window before pouring accelerant inside and lighting it.

The fire service was called and was able to put the fire out before any serious damage could be done to the property.

On both occasions the restaurants were closed and no-one was injured in either of the attacks.

The attack at Ta'am comes just over a year after the deli and grill was targeted last May, on the Jewish Sabbath.

The arsonists struck just days before the eatery was due to reopen after a refurbishment.

Flames engulfed the premises after the petrol was lit and despite a huge explosion, ‘minimal’ damage was caused.

Officers in Bury have launched an investigation into the two recent attacks and initial enquiries suggest they are linked; however, the motive for the attacks is not clear.

Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Cadden of GMP’s Bury Borough said “Thankfully no-one was injured in either attack, but we are treating these as anti-semitic hate crimes.

“This is clearly very worrying for businesses and people living in the area and I want to offer you my assurances that we have increased patrols in the area and have a team investigating these linked crimes”

“We are working alongside the Community Security Trust and if anyone in the area has concerns, I would urge you to come and talk to us.

“If you have any information about the attacks, no matter how small, I would urge you to get in touch, as you may have information that could help us.”

The CST, a charity which monitors and targets anti-Semitism, said it is ‘working very closely with police after apparent arson attack’.

Amanda Bomsztyk, CST northern regional director said: “CST thanks the police and fire service for their response to these incidents.

“We ask our community to be calm, vigilant and to report suspicious, criminal or antisemitic behaviour to GMP and CST.” Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 206 06/06/17, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.