A Devon man was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing on Sunday on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in relation to a series of attacks on Jewish, Israeli, and Iranian dissident sites in London, the Metropolitan Police announced on Monday morning.
The 37-year-old Barnstaple man was taken to a London police station for questioning.
The Sunday arrest brought the total number of people arrested since the March 23 Golders Green arsons to 26. According to the Met, eight people have been charged with arson-related offenses, and one person was convicted of arson.
The spate of attacks began with the arson of four Hatzola ambulances in the Golders Green area.
Attempted arson attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue
Last Wednesday, arsonists attempted to attack the Finchley Reform Synagogue by placing bottles with accelerants next to the synagogue and throwing a brick at the alleged firebomb. Later that day, an arson attempt was made against the office of Iran International, with suspected arsonists throwing a burning container into the car park of the news outlet. The fire died out on its own.
A building that was once the premises of a Jewish group, still with the organization's name on the window, was the target of an arson attempt last Friday. Three bottles containing accelerants were placed next to a building and set alight. The bottles failed to fully ignite, but minor damage was caused to the shopfront.
The same day, jars with an unknown substance, later revealed to be non-hazardous, were discovered near the Israeli embassy.
Last Sunday, the Kenton United Synagogue was firebombed, causing minor smoke damage to a room, but no injuries.