Two more arrested on suspicion of plotting arson attack on Jewish venue | UK news
Metropolitan police have made two further arrests in connection with alleged arson in an area associated with the Jewish community. in question.
Recent arrests made by counter-terrorism police investigating the alleged arson plot included a 19-year-old man and another 26-year-old man. These people, who were detained in Watford on Tuesday, remain in custody.
Nine people have been detained in connection with the same alleged arson plot over the past four days.
Seven people arrested before Tuesday were released on bail with strict conditions.
They include three men aged 24, 26 and 26 who were arrested in Harpenden on April 19. A 25-year-old man was also arrested in Stevenage.
A 26-year-old man and two women, aged 50 and 59, were detained in a car near Birmingham on Monday in connection with the alleged plot.
Separately, a teenager pleaded guilty on Tuesday to an arson attack on a synagogue in Kenton, north-west London, on Saturday night.
The two new men arrested are suspected of being involved in planning an arson attack on an unknown location linked to the Jewish community.
Vicki Evans, senior national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said: “Our investigations continue apace and we continue to identify and arrest suspects who we believe were involved in or planning the recent arson attacks in north-west London.
“We have secured the first conviction in relation to recent arson attacks and seven more people have been charged. We are committed to identifying, arresting and charging anyone involved in recent criminal activity.”
“My message to anyone considering taking part in this type of activity is that the risks are high and definitely not worth the risk.”
The arrests by counter-terrorism officers followed firebombings or arson attempts against synagogues and other Jewish targets in London.
These attacks began on March 23, when ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity were set on fire in Golders Green, north London. Then in April there were attacks or attempted attacks on a charity, synagogues, and an opposition media outlet in Iran.
Additional reporting by PA Media
