Police in London have arrested four men suspected of collaborating with Iran’s intelligence service to conduct surveillance on the Jewish community in a city in the UK.
The arrests were made after 1 am on Friday during a planned operation, with one Iranian national and three individuals holding both British and Iranian citizenship taken into custody at locations in Barnet and Watford, according to Counter Terrorism Policing London.
Metropolitan Police revealed that two men, aged 40 and 55, were apprehended in Barnet, while a 52-year-old man was detained in Watford. Searches are ongoing at the properties where the arrests were made, including a location in Wembley.
Another individual, a 22-year-old man, was also arrested in Harrow. Additionally, six more men, aged between 20 and 49, were taken into custody at the same Harrow location on suspicion of aiding an offender. All ten individuals are currently held in custody.
Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated, “Today’s arrests form part of an extensive investigation aimed at disrupting any illicit activities we suspect.” Flanagan urged the public, especially the Jewish community, to stay alert and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the arrests were made as part of an investigation into potential breaches of the National Security Act. The individuals have been detained on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, specifically related to Iran, as outlined in the National Security Act of 2023.
The investigation, led by CTP London, focused on suspected surveillance activities targeting locations and individuals associated with the Jewish community in London.
In a public statement, authorities emphasized the importance of vigilance and urged individuals to report any suspicious behavior. They directed the public to contact law enforcement through the provided channels if they witness anything unusual or concerning.
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