Counter-terror police investigate whether Iran ordered series of arson attacks in London
Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Iran ordered a series of arson attacks in London.
Scotland Yard also warned that it was dealing with “an unprecedented level of national security investigations, many of which are suspected of having links to foreign governments with dangerous and often reckless intentions.”
Three men charged in connection with an attempted firebombing of an Iranian media company in north-west London appeared in court on Wednesday. Oisin McGuinness, 21, Nathan Dunn, 19, and a 16-year-old boy appeared side by side at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Friday, charged with arson with intent to endanger life.
An attempt was made to arson a synagogue in Finchley in the early hours of Wednesday. A 47-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life later the same day.
The volunteer-led ambulances of the Jewish community in Golders Green were set on fire last month. On Thursday, officers arrested two 18-year-old men, one on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and the other on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. While a criminal complaint was filed against three more people regarding the incident, another person was previously arrested.
Asked on Thursday whether Iranian-backed criminals were behind a series of attacks, counter-terrorism policing senior national co-ordinator Vicki Evans said: “We are open-minded and all avenues of investigation are open at this stage.”
The Metropolitan Police said that due to the “nature and circumstances” of the three incidents, although none had been declared a terrorist incident, specialist detectives from the counter-terrorism police were leading the investigation. “Officers are keeping an open mind about the motivation behind any attack,” the statement said.
Police said the “similarity between the three arson incidents and the nature of the buildings and locations” led to the decision for counter-terrorism police to investigate all three, although they were treating the incidents separately.
This was despite an Iran-linked Islamist group reportedly claiming responsibility for all of them.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which has claimed other attacks across Europe since the start of the war in Iran, posted videos on Telegram on Wednesday about events in the UK, according to terror group watchdog Site Intelligence.
Julian Lanches of the International Counterterrorism Center said: Finance Times the group was “unconventional.”
The think tank’s analysis showed that the group had “no known references either online or offline” before March 9.
He added that the group’s sudden emergence means “there is significant suspicion that they are a genuine, serious terrorist group with offline or internal structures.”
The Met said officers were aware of Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia’s messages.
Ms Evans said on Thursday: “These events occurred against the operational backdrop of global instability and persistent and increasingly aggressive enemy activity on UK soil.
“As these investigations continue and we progress through multiple lines of inquiry, I understand why our communities across the UK will be concerned to learn of these arson attacks.
“We are now facing an unprecedented level of national security investigation into suspected connections to foreign governments, many of whom have dangerous and often reckless intentions.
“I want to reassure our communities that Counter Terrorism Police will be relentless in tracking down those responsible for these acts of violence on our streets.
“If you are part of this activity, know that you will be caught and face justice.
“Anyone with information about the events this week should please speak to police.”
Police are asking members of the public to remain vigilant and contact police if they have concerns by calling them on 0800 789 321 or by visiting www.gov.uk/ACT.
