Four men have been arrested in North London in relation to an alleged Iran-linked plot against the Jewish community.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests, made in Barnet and Watford under the National Security Act, on Friday morning.
The force confirmed that the men, one Iranian and three dual British-Iranian nationals, were suspected of “assisting a foreign intelligence service” and that the country in question was Iran.
"The investigation relates to suspected surveillance of locations and individuals linked to the Jewish community in the London area,” a spokesperson added.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, 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.”
A further six men were arrested at an address in Harrow on suspicion of assisting an offender, one of whom was also suspected of assaulting a police officer. All 10 suspects have been taken into custody.
A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust (CST) said: “Security is strong across the Jewish community. CST thanks Counter Terror Policing London and will not be commenting further at this time.”
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The UK may not be acting against Iran but Iran is acting against us. It is incredible that the Iranian threat, long recognised by British Jews and those paying attention, like the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, is still not being taken seriously by the government.
“The government’s failure to keep its promise to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – the main instrument that the Islamic Republic uses to foment antisemitic violence worldwide – has sent the message that support for the brutal Iranian regime and its Jew-hating and West-hating ideology is perfectly acceptable in Britain.
"We are grateful to the police for foiling this alleged plot, which underscores the reality in which the Jewish community lives. But the security services have to be lucky every time: the plotters only need to get lucky once. The government must give the police the tools they need to tackle this peril and broadcast not weakness, but the message that Britain stands against this menace.”
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.