Eight Arrested in London Counter-Terror Investigation into Alleged Arson Attacks on Jewish Sites

Counter-terror police arrested eight people on Tuesday in connection with an alleged plot to commit arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London. The arrests form part of a proactive investigation into a series of incidents, some occurring across the capital in recent weeks. Seven of the arrests took place in the past 48 hours, according to the Metropolitan Police.

The intended target of the conspiracy is believed to be a venue related to the Jewish community, though the specific site remains unknown. Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London detained three men aged 24, 25, and 26 in Harpenden on Sunday; they were later released on police bail. On Monday, a 25-year-old man was arrested in Stevenage.

That same day, police arrested a 26-year-old man and two women aged 50 and 59 in a car in Birmingham; the three remain in custody at a London police station. Separately, a 39-year-old man was arrested in Ealing on Tuesday under the Terrorism Act, linked to an investigation into jars of a non-hazardous substance found in Kensington Gardens on April 17. He remains in custody.

Since late March, arson attacks have targeted Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, two synagogues, and a former Jewish charity. Another incident involved a drone flown near the Israeli embassy. Officers have now arrested a total of 23 individuals since the first attack.

" She added that officers were investigating a key line of inquiry into the use of criminal proxies—people being paid money to carry out the arsons. " The probe continues amid heightened security concerns following the recent incidents.