Arsonists have attacked a Jewish building in London as the Islamist group that launched drones at the Israeli Embassy claims responsibility.
Police were called at 10.31pm last night to reports of the arson attack in Hendon, North West London.
Police said a man was seen approaching a row of shops with a plastic bag containing what was later found to be three bottles containing fluid.
The Metropolitan Police said: ‘He placed the bag next to the building and lit the items in the bag. The bottles failed to fully ignite and the man fled the scene.
‘Minor damage was caused to the shopfront and no injuries were reported.
‘The investigation into the incident is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, supported by officers from the North West Command Area. It is not being treated as a terrorist incident and officers are keeping an open mind about the motive behind the attack.’
No arrests have yet been made.
An Islamist group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Iran-backed group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia shared a video on what appears to be Telegram of a person lighting bottles in a plastic bag inside the business and filming the building in flames as they fled the scene.
A Jewish business in north west London (pictured) was attacked last night by arsonists. An Iran-backed Islamist group have since claimed responsibility
The group have now claimed responsibility for six attacks since the beginning of April, marking a significant increase.
Commander Helen Flanagan, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: ‘At this stage last night’s arson is not being linked to other incidents in the North West London area over the last week or last month’s arson in Golders Green but Counter Terrorism officers are leading due to the similarities of each attack.
‘I would ask that anyone with information or footage that could help our investigation gets in touch with police as soon as possible.
‘We will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible for this and other, similar, hateful acts against London’s communities.’
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: ‘Since the incident in Golders Green last month we have spoken extensively to community leaders. I understand and appreciate their concerns, and I know this latest incident will add to fears in the community.
‘Local officers are working closely with Counter Terrorism Policing to support the investigation.
‘The community can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area. Since last month’s attack in Golders Green, we have stepped up police patrols and vigilance to reassure communities and disrupt offenders.
‘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.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 8987/17APRIL, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Yesterday, the same ‘terror cell’ group, Ashab al-Yamin, posted a video of what they claimed were drones carrying ‘radioactive and cancer-causing materials’ towards the Israeli embassy.
The Metropolitan Police blocked off public access to Kensington Gardens while officers wearing protective hazmat suits and gas masks assessed ‘a number of discarded items’.
Although security sources are said to consider the video as ‘extremely amateurish’, authorities are taking their claims seriously and believe they may be a proxy ‘commissioned’ by pro-Iranian regime groups.