Anti-terror police foiled the plot – which had targeted the Israeli embassy next to Kensington Palace in west London – and cops believe widespread loss of life was prevented
Anti-terror police stopped a deadly attack on the Israeli Embassy in London – feared to have resulted in widespread loss of life if successful.
A group of suspected terrorists was allegedly planning the imminent attack on Saturday, but the four men – aged between 29 and 46 – are now being questioned by officers. The arrests have been described as “some of the largest counter state threats and counter-terrorism actions we have seen in recent times”.
The Metropolitan Police called the probe “a fast-moving counter-terrorism investigation,” which will likely affect security arrangements at other embassies in the capital. The Israeli Embassy, near Kensington Palace, is behind 8ft walls and has 24-hour armed guards due to the general threat it faces.
But it was still allegedly identified by the four men, who the Daily Mail understands are Iranian. Security minister Dan Jarvis told MPs: “The investigation relates to a suspected plot to target specific premises. Police officers have been in contact with the affected site to make them aware and provide relevant security advice and support. Investigators refused to provide further detail last night about the nature of the attack planned, which is likely to have been state-sponsored.”
It is thought the threat was considered so serious that armed special forces teams were drafted in to assist counter terrorism officers carry out raids of properties in Rochdale, Swindon, London, Manchester and Stockport in unprecedented scenes.
Photos of the raid in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, show three officers dressed in black and two other men dressed in camo gear escorting one of the suspects out of a property. Undercover police officers were also pictured swooping on a suspected Iranian terrorist in Swindon, Wiltshire on Saturday after posing as customers in a café. The officers were then seen dragging the suspect through the street towards a police van. A fifth man, aged 24, detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, has been bailed, according to reports today.
Reflecting on the security operation, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said earlier this week the arrests “reflect some of the biggest counter-state threat and counter-terrorism operations we have seen in recent years”.
Asked about possible links to the Iranian state, she said: “These are major operations and the ongoing investigation is immensely important, and, of course, it involves Iranian nationals in both investigations. But this reflects the complexity of the kinds of challenges to our national security we continue to face.”
Iran has been blamed for a series of attacks on Israeli embassies across Europe in the last year. Sweden’s security service Sapo suggested Iran was involved in two attacks in October when shots were fired at the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, days before two explosions were reported near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen.
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “Any speculation around this investigation could have a negative impact as we work to keep the public safe from potential threats.
“This is a fast-moving counter-terrorism investigation and there are significant operational reasons why we cannot provide further information at this time.
“As soon as possible we will look to share further details and in the meantime we would ask the public to remain vigilant and contact us if you have any concerns.”