More arrests over alleged Jewish site arson plot

Counter-terrorism police have made two additional arrests in connection with an alleged scheme to set fire to an unspecified location linked to the Jewish community. A 19-year-old man and a 26-year-old man were detained in Watford on Tuesday and are currently held in custody. This brings the total number of arrests in the past three days to nine, with seven of the suspects released under strict bail terms, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Earlier in the week, three individuals aged 24, 25, and 26 were arrested in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, on Sunday evening. A 25-year-old man was also taken into custody in Stevenage the next day. On Monday, a 26-year-old man and two women, 50 and 59 years old, were apprehended in a vehicle near Birmingham. These arrests are part of a broader investigation into multiple arson incidents across London.

“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,” said Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national co-ordinator of Counter Terrorism Policing.

Since late March, London has experienced a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish community sites. These include ambulances in Golders Green, two synagogues, and a former Jewish charity. A separate incident involved a drone being flown close to the Israeli embassy. An ongoing probe in Kensington Gardens was initiated after jars containing a non-hazardous substance were discovered on 17 April.

A 39-year-old man remains in custody following his arrest on Tuesday under the Terrorism Act. Police have secured a warrant for further detention, allowing him to be held until Tuesday, 28 April. To date, 25 people have been arrested in relation to these events. Officers are increasing their presence in north-west London, conducting patrols near Jewish places of worship, businesses, and other critical community locations to prevent future attacks and offer public reassurance.