Counter-terror police make additional arrest of man, 37, in rural Devon after spate of assaults on Jewish synagogues
Counter-terror police today revealed they have arrested a suspect close to an isolated Devon market town over a series of attacks on the Jewish community in London.
A 37-year-old man was held by the Met Police on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts at an address close to Barnstaple yesterday.
He has been taken 210 miles to London for questioning and remains in custody on Monday.
The suspect, who has not been named, is the 26th person to be arrested since the firebombing of Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, two synagogues in north-west London and the former premises of a Jewish charity.
There were also jars containing a powdered substance left in Kensington Gardens close to the Israeli Embassy – as well as a drone incursion – and an attack on a Persian-language media organisation opposed to the Iranian regime in the capital in recent weeks.
Pro-Iranian group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia – the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right – has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The counter-terror investigation has taken Scotland Yard to Devon, it emerged today.
The latest arrest came after an arson attack on volunteer-led Jewish community ambulances were set alight in Golders Green
Counter-terrorism police have arrested 26 people over the past month. Pictured: A cordon set up outside Kenton synagogue after a ‘firebomb’ attack on Sunday April 19
A Met Police spokesman said: ‘A 37-year-old man was arrested by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) on Sunday, April 26 at an address near Barnstaple, Devon.
‘He was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and has been taken to a London police station for questioning.
‘The arrest is part of an ongoing CTP London investigation into a series of attacks on premises linked to the Jewish community.
‘CTP officers continue to work closely with Met Police colleagues in response to the series of arson incidents, which includes specialist officers providing protective security advice and support to a large number of organisations, community venues and businesses’.
There have been arson attacks on Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, north-west London, a synagogue and a former Jewish charity, as well as an incident where a drone was flown near the Israeli embassy.
The Golders Green firebombing caused gas canisters stored in the ambulances to explode, with the force from the blast causing windows to break in a block of flats close by.
The synagogue, one of Europe’s oldest, had its roof damaged and stained glass windows smashed in the fire. There were no injuries.
Counter-terror police have been looking into the possible involvement of Iranian proxies.
Premises linked to people opposing the Iranian regime have also been targeted, the Met said last week.
An attempted arson attack was also carried out on April 15 at Finchley Reform Synagogue, and at about 8.30pm outside the offices of a Persian media company, both in north-west London.
On Tuesday, a 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to arson not endangering life following the attack on Kenton United Synagogue.
