A memorial wall located in a North London Jewish community has been targeted in a suspected arson attack, marking the latest in a series of incidents targeting Jewish sites in the area. Police confirmed they received reports of a fire in Limes Avenue, Golders Green, on Monday, April 27, but the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
Details of the Attack
The Metropolitan Police stated that the suspected arson occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Monday and was reported later that day just before 7:30 p.m. The memorial wall pays tribute to thousands of protesters killed in a crackdown in Iran earlier this year and is situated near a Jewish centre. This follows another alleged arson attack in late March, in which four Jewish community ambulances were destroyed in Golders Green, part of a series of apparent attacks targeting Jewish sites.
Police Response and Community Concerns
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: “We recognise that this incident will heighten concerns in the Golders Green area, where residents have already faced a series of attacks. We are working closely with community organisations and leaders, and want to reassure them that our protective security operation continues. Our local officers are working closely with Counter Terror Policing to support their investigation.”
“Since last month’s attack in Golders Green, we have stepped up our work to reassure communities. This includes armed police patrols as well as deployments of officers from Project Servator, who are specially trained to spot anyone who may be planning or preparing to commit criminal acts,” Williams added.
Claims of Responsibility and Arrests
A group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (Hayi), has claimed responsibility for the series of arson attacks on Jewish sites in north London, as well as an incident where drones were flown near the Israeli embassy. Two men arrested under terrorism laws over the drone incident have now been released from police custody, the Met said.
A 39-year-old man who was held on April 21 in Ealing under section 41 of the Terrorism Act, which allows someone to be arrested without a warrant if they are a suspected terrorist, has been released with no further action. The second suspect, a 37-year-old man who was arrested in Devon on Sunday on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts, has been bailed until July.
Drone Incident Details
Grainy footage was posted online of the drone being flown in Kensington Park and reportedly crashing into a tree. Hayi claimed that the drone was carrying hazardous substances, but this later proved to be untrue. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing London, said: “Although these two men have been released from custody, our investigation into this incident continues. We appreciate the community remains very concerned about this, and other incidents that have targeted Jewish, Israeli or Iranian sites over recent weeks. We have made a total of 26 arrests across our various investigations and we continue to work to identify anyone who may have been involved.”
Of the 26 people arrested, eight have been charged and one convicted. The two men arrested over the drone incident are the only suspects so far to have been detained under terrorism laws.
