Three people have been arrested after an attempted arson attack on the offices of dissident Iranian TV network Iran International.
Police confirmed that an “ignited container” was thrown towards the premises of a “Persian language media organisation” in North West London. The JC understands that this was Iran International.
The perpetrators then fled the scene in a black SUV, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed.
A 16-year-old boy and two men, aged 19 and 21, were subsequently arrested after a vehicle matching that description failed to stop for armed police, prompting a high-speed chase.
The car then crashed on Ballards Lane, at which point the trio were arrested on suspicion of arson and endangering life. A police cordon was put in place around the area, and several nearby residential buildings were evacuated.
A Met spokesperson added: “A number of buildings nearby were evacuated as a precaution, although it was quickly established there was no wider risk.
“The attack is not being treated as a terrorist incident but is being investigated by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London, supported by officers from the North West Command Area.”
However, they also confirmed that it is not currently being treated as connected to the attempted firebombing of the nearby Finchley Reform Synagogue on Wednesday, nor the arson attack against Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green last month.
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