Seven more arrested over conspiracy to commit arson at another Jewish site in London
Seven more people were arrested following a series of arson attacks on Jewish sites in London.
The Metropolitan Police said the suspects had been arrested in the last 48 hours for an alleged plot to carry out a new arson attack, although the exact target was not yet known.
Since the end of March there have been arson attacks on Jewish community ambulances, two synagogues and a former Jewish charity in Golders Green, as well as an incident in which a drone flew near the Israeli embassy.
In the latest arrests made by London Counter Terrorism Police detectives, three men, aged 24, 25 and 26, were detained in Harpenden on Sunday, a 25-year-old man and a 26-year-old man were detained in Stevenage on Monday, and two women, aged 50 and 59, were detained in a car near Birmingham.
CTP officers have arrested a total of 23 people since the attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on 23 March. Eight people have been charged with arson-related offenses, while 13 people remain in custody or have been released on bail under active police investigation.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “We have made it very clear that we will be relentless in pursuing anyone involved in carrying out or planning these arson attacks.
“Our message is clear, we will not tolerate these intimidations against our communities and will pursue those responsible. “One of the main lines of our investigation is whether criminal proxies were used to carry out any of these arson attacks on individuals who were paid to commit crimes.
“While our investigations into this matter are still ongoing, my message to anyone considering getting involved in this type of activity is this: The risks are high and definitely not worth the risk.
“Once we identify you, we will seek to prosecute you. This will include considering criminal offenses under the National Security Act, which carry significant penalties and life restrictions.
“We will not rest until all those responsible for these actions are held accountable.
” ‘As well as the arrests, Counter Terrorism Police resources have also been deployed in north-west London to support a major Met police operation to help deter further attacks and provide reassurance to Jewish houses of worship and businesses.’
“I want to thank our communities for their support as we investigate these crimes and I urge the public to be vigilant and report anything that is not right to us.”
