Four men suspected of carrying out surveillance on the Jewish community have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, the Metropolitan Police has said.The investigation relates to the surveillance of locations and individuals in the London area.
Iran war latest: Trump says invading would be ‘waste of time’Officers arrested one Iranian and three dual British/Iranian nationals, shortly after 1am in Barnet and Harrow in north London, and Watford in Hertfordshire on Friday.The men were arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act, 2023.
The arrests were part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into suspected National Security Act offences.Two men, aged 40 and 55, were arrested at addresses in the Barnet area, along with a 52-year-old man in Watford and a 22-year-old man in Harrow, according to a police statement.
Officers said searches were taking place in all these areas, as well as a location in Wembley.
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Another six men, aged between 20 and 49, were arrested at the same location in Harrow on suspicion of assisting an offender. All ten men remain in custody.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “Today’s arrests are part of a long-running investigation and part of our ongoing work to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it.”We understand the public may be concerned, in particular the Jewish community, and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us.”Meanwhile, the US and Israeli military have been continuing airstrikes on Iran, which has retaliated with drone attacks across the Middle East.The UK is not involved in offensive operations but is providing defensive assistance to allies in the region.
In a statement to the Commons on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer hinted at the challenge faced by counter-terrorism officers.”In the UK, Iran has directed threats toward dissidents and the Jewish community.”Over the last year alone, Iran-backed plots against people in the UK have been disrupted. We must be clear about the threat that Iran poses,” he said.
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