Police say an apparent CS gas attack at a Golders Green synagogue on Sunday took place during an altercation between two men who are thought to know one another.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers had arrived at the shul on Golders Green Road to find a man in his 60s suffering from the effects of being sprayed by a substance believed to be CS gas.

The suspect, said to be in his mid-30s, had already fled the scene when police and fire brigade officers arrived.

Police believe the two males know one another and rule out antisemitism as a motive for the attack.

The man is his 60s was later taken to hospital where he remains following tests.

His condition was said not to be life threatening. 

The police said no arrests have been made and their enquiries continue.

Police said tests will be carried out to establish the nature of the substance used in the attack, but confirmed they "believed it to be CS gas."

The JC told earlier in Sunday afternoon how the Beis Hamedrash Beis Shmuel synagogue was sealed off to the public  after a man carried out a spray attack inside the building.

Shomrim North West London said the substance used in the attack was "thought to be pepper spray" -  a similar compound as CS gas.

Anyone with further information can ring police on 101.