An investigation has been launched by counter terror police after an arson attack on a business in Hendon, London.
The Metropolitan Police said that a man was seen to approach a row of shops with a plastic bag containing three bottles of liquid on Friday evening. He tried to set the items in the bag alight, but when the bottles failed to fully ignite he fled the scene, police said.
The incident is being investigated by Counter Terrorism Policing London. The alleged attack was claimed online by individuals purporting to be from group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyah (HAYI), who said they were targeting Jewish education charity Jewish Futures.
Messages apparently from the group HAYI, and circulated on pro-Iranian Telegram channels, have claimed a number of attacks on sites around Europe, including last months arson attack on four Jewish ambulances in Golders Green, northwest London.
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.”
The Metropolitan police responded to an incident near the Israeli embassy in central London yesterday after a video was shared online overnight in which the HAYI group appeared to claim they were targeting the embassy with drones.
In a statement issued on Saturday morning, police said that minor damage was caused to the shopfront in Hendon and no injuries were reported.
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.”
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