Counterterror police probe suspected arson attack on Golders Green memorial wall
A memorial wall in Golders Green, north London, has been targeted in a suspected arson attack.
The Metropolitan Police said it received reports of a fire in the area of Limes Avenue on Monday but the wall was not damaged.
Police said the Counter Terrorism Police was conducting the investigation, but the incident was not being treated as terrorism.
The incident follows another arson attack in Golders Green in late March, in which four ambulances belonging to the Jewish community were allegedly destroyed.
The memorial wall was built in memory of the thousands of protesters killed in January’s crackdown in Iran and is located near a Jewish centre.
Police said the suspected arson attack took place around 12.15pm on Monday and was reported just before 7.30pm the same day.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: “We recognize that this incident will heighten concerns in the Golders Green area, where residents are already facing a number of attacks.
“We are working closely with community organizations and leaders and want to reassure them that our protective security operation continues.
“Our local officers are working closely with Counter Terrorism Police to support their investigations.
“Since the attack in Golders Green last month we have stepped up our work to reassure communities.
“This includes armed police patrols, as well as the deployment of specially trained Project Servator officers to detect anyone planning or preparing to commit criminal acts.”
A group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiye, or Islamic Movement of the Right Companions (Hayi), claimed responsibility for a series of arson attacks on Jewish sites in north London, as well as an incident in which drones were flown near the Israeli embassy.
Two men arrested under terrorism laws in connection with the bizarre incident have been released from police custody, the Met said.
A 39-year-old man who was detained in Ealing, west London, on April 21 under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act, which allows a person to be detained without a warrant if they are suspected of being a terrorist, was released without further action.
The second suspect, a 37-year-old man who was arrested in Devon on Sunday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, was released on bail until July.
Grainy footage appeared online showing the drone flying through Kensington Park and crashing into a tree.
Hayi claimed that the drone was carrying hazardous materials, but this was later revealed to be a lie.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of London Counter Terrorism Police, said: “Although these two men have been released from custody, our investigation into this incident continues.
“We appreciate that the community remains very concerned about this and other incidents targeting Jewish, Israeli and Iranian sites in recent weeks.
“We have detained a total of 26 people throughout our various investigations and we continue to work to identify anyone who may have been involved in this incident.”
Of the 26 people taken into custody, 8 were arrested and 1 was convicted.
The two men arrested over the drone incident are the only suspects detained under terrorism laws so far.
