British counterterrorism police arrested four men suspected of assisting a foreign intelligence service linked to Iran in a case involving surveillance of Jewish community locations, authorities said on Friday.
Four men were arrested early Friday as part of a counterterrorism investigation into suspected offences under the UK’s National Security Act 2023, police said.
Detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing London detained the suspects shortly after 01:00 at addresses in Barnet and Watford during what authorities described as a pre-planned operation.
The investigation concerns suspected surveillance of locations and individuals connected to the Jewish community in the London area.
“Today’s arrests are part of a long-running investigation and part of our ongoing work to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it,” Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said.
“We understand the public may be concerned, in particular the Jewish community, and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us,” Flanagan added.
Police said the four suspects include one Iranian national and three men who hold dual British-Iranian citizenship.
Two of the men – aged 40 and 55 – were arrested at addresses in the Barnet area. Searches are ongoing at those locations.
A 52-year-old man was arrested in Watford. Officers are searching that property as well as another in Wembley.
A fourth suspect, a 22-year-old man, was arrested in Harrow.
Six additional men aged 20 to 49 were arrested at the same Harrow location on suspicion of assisting an offender. One of them was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
All ten men have been taken into custody.
