UK police arrest two more in alleged arson plot targeting Jewish community sites

Two people were arrested on Tuesday in connection with a plot to commit arson against a British Jewish community site, the Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday night, raising the number of people arrested for involvement in the conspiracy to nine.

The 19-year-old and 26-year-old men were arrested in Watford and remain in custody.

The planned target remains unknown, but the Met said that the objective was related to the Jewish community.

Men aged 24, 25, and 26 were arrested in Harpenden on Sunday night in relation to the same plot. On Monday, another 25-year-old man was arrested in Stevenage, and near Birmingham, a 26-year-old man and two women, aged 50 and 59, were arrested. The seven previously arrested remain under investigation, but were released on bail under conditions.

“Our investigations continue at pace, and we are continuing to identify and arrest suspects who we believe were involved, or planning, the recent arson attacks in north west London," Senior National Coordinator of Counter Terrorism Policing Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said in a statement.

With the two new arrests, the Met and Counter Terrorism Policing have made 25 arrests related to the spate of arson attacks that began in March, targeting Jewish, Israeli, and Iranian dissident-linked sites. Eight have been charged, and one convicted of arson.

“We’ve now had the first conviction in relation to this recent spate of arson attacks, and seven others have been charged," said Evans. "We remain determined to identify, arrest, and charge all those who have been involved in the recent criminal activity."

Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), a suspected Iranian front group, claimed responsibility for most of the incidents. Police have explored the Iranian regime connection, referring to a longstanding strategy of the Islamic Regime to hire criminals to attack targets abroad.

“My message to anyone even considering getting involved in this type of activity is this: the stakes are high, and it is absolutely not worth the risk," Evans said on Wednesday night.

Evans said that police would be increasing their presence in north west London, particularly outside synagogues and Jewish community sites, to identify potential attackers and provide reassurance.

Attacks began with the March 23 arson of four Hatzola ambulances in the Golders Green area. Last Wednesday, arsonists attempted to attack the Finchley Reform Synagogue by placing bottles with accelerants next to the synagogue and throwing a brick at the alleged firebomb.

Later that day, an arson attempt was made against the office of Iran International, with suspected arsonists throwing a burning container into the car park of the news outlet. The fire died out on its own. A building that was once the premises of a Jewish group, still with the organization's name on the window, was the target of a Friday arson attempt.

Three bottles containing accelerants were placed next to a building and set alight. The bottles failed to fully ignite, but minor damage was caused to the shopfront. The same day, jars with an unknown substance, later revealed to be non-hazardous, were discovered near the Israeli embassy.

On Sunday, the Kenton United Synagogue was firebombed, causing minor smoke damage to a room, but no injuries.