All posts tagged: arson

British Counter-Terrorism Police Investigating London Arson Attack

British Counter-Terrorism Police Investigating London Arson Attack

Published by Sam Flores

LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) – British counter-terrorism ⁠police ⁠are investigating an ⁠arson attack in London on Friday ​night in an area with a significant Jewish community. The ‌incident, which caused minor ‌damage, follows a spate of similar attacks, ⁠including ⁠a nearby blaze last month that destroyed four Jewish ​community ambulances and was treated by police as an antisemitic hate crime. Police said they were not treating ​Friday’s arson as a terrorist incident, but counter-terrorism officers ⁠were ⁠leading the investigation because ⁠of ​similarities with the earlier attacks. “A man was seen to ​approach a row ⁠of shops with a plastic bag containing what was later found to be three bottles containing fluid,” police said in a statement. “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.” Police said they were not formally linking the latest attack to others at this stage and keeping an open mind about the motive. “I know this latest incident will add ⁠to fears …

British Counter-Terrorism Police Investigating London Arson Attack

Three Charged After Attempted Arson at Iran International Office in London

Published by Sam Flores

LONDON, April 17 (Reuters) – British police said on ⁠Friday ⁠they had charged three ⁠people over an attempted arson attack on offices linked to ​television station Iran International in northwest London earlier this week. The three, two men and ‌a teenager and all ‌British, are accused of arson with intent to endanger life after an ⁠ignited ⁠container was thrown towards the premises of the parent company of ​Iran International, Volant Media, on Wednesday evening, landing in a car park. The fire immediately put itself out, causing no damage nor injuries. Iran International, a London-based television station ​critical of Tehran’s government, said a suspicious vehicle was denied entry ⁠to its ⁠London site shortly before ⁠the ​incendiary devices were thrown. Oisin McGuinness, 21, Nathan Dunn, 19, and a 16-year-old boy ​who cannot be named ⁠for legal reasons, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later on Friday. McGuinness was also charged with dangerous driving. Police said a vehicle fled the scene and crashed after being pursued by an armed response unit ⁠which was in the area. …

Boy, 16, among three arrested over attempted arson on Persian language media group in Wembley | UK News

Boy, 16, among three arrested over attempted arson on Persian language media group in Wembley | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

Three people, including a 16-year-old boy, have been arrested after an attempted arson attack on the offices of a Persian language media organisation. Metropolitan Police said a lit container was thrown at a premises in Wembley, northwest London, at around 8.30pm on Wednesday. It is understood the offices of Volant Media, the parent company of Persian news channel Iran International, were targeted. The container landed in a car park, where the fire extinguished itself, and the suspects fled in a black SUV. A police armed response vehicle gave chase after the driver failed to stop and the SUV ended up crashing in Ballards Lane in Finchley. A 19-year-old man and a 21-year-old man were arrested alongside the younger teen on suspicion of arson endangering life Some nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution but the attempted arson did not cause any injuries or damage. Read more from Sky News:Former Arsenal goalkeeper dies in traffic accidentWoman killed in UK’s third fatal dog attack in a week Police said it’s not being treated as a terrorist incident, …

Two people arrested after attempted arson attack on synagogue in north London | UK News

Two people arrested after attempted arson attack on synagogue in north London | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

Two people have been arrested following an attempted arson attack on a north London synagogue, the Metropolitan Police said. The incident in Finchley is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, police said. Officers from the Met’s North West Area Command Unit arrested a 47-year-old woman at an address in Watford on suspicion of arson endangering life on Wednesday afternoon. They later also arrested a 46-year-old man in the Watford area on suspicion of arson endangering life. Both suspects remain in police custody. Image: Police outside Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London. Pic: PA CCTV obtained by police showed two people, who were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, approaching the synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue shortly after midnight on Wednesday and throwing two bottles, suspected to contain petrol, and a brick at the building. Neither bottle ignited, and no damage was reported. There were no injuries. The matter was reported by staff to police at 8.30am. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: “I hope the swift action by officers …

Two suspects sought after attempted arson attack on synagogue | UK News

Two suspects sought after attempted arson attack on synagogue | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

Police are hunting for two suspects following an attempted arson attack on a north London synagogue. The incident in Finchley is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, police said. Two suspects, who were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, approached the synagogue in Fallow Court Avenue shortly after midnight on Wednesday and threw two bottles, suspected to contain petrol, and a brick at the building. Neither bottle ignited and no damage was reported. There were no injuries. The matter was reported by staff to police at 8.30am. Officers are conducting urgent enquiries to trace the suspects. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: “We are aware of the significant concern that this incident will cause in the community, particularly in the wake of the arson attack in Golders Green last month. “We are working with the affected synagogue and continuing to meet with community leaders. “I would like to reassure the community that we take incidents of this nature extremely seriously and detectives are working urgently to identify the suspects.” He also urged any witnesses or …

Golders Green: Three in court over arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances as additional arrest made | UK News

Golders Green: Three in court over arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances as additional arrest made | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

Two young men and a 17-year-old boy have been remanded in custody after appearing in court over an arson attack on Jewish volunteer ambulances in Golders Green. A further arrest in connection with the incident was made at the court, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service, were destroyed in the early hours of 23 March in north London. Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, both British nationals from Leyton, were on Friday charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. A 17-year-old boy, a dual British and Pakistani national from Walthamstow, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also charged with the same offence. Image: Destroyed ambulances after being targeted in the early hours of 23 March. Pic: Cover Images/AP The group, who were all arrested on Wednesday at different locations in east London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday. Prosecutor Emma Harraway told the court: “There is significant evidence that this was a premeditated and targeted attack against the Jewish …

Golders Green: Three in court over arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances as additional arrest made | UK News

Three people charged over arson attack on Golders Green Jewish charity ambulances | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

Three people have been charged over an arson attack on Jewish volunteer ambulances in Golders Green, north London. Four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service, were destroyed in the early hours of 23 March. Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, both British nationals from Leyton, have been charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. A 17-year-old boy, a dual British and Pakistani national from Walthamstow, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with the same offence. The group, who were all arrested on Wednesday at different locations in East London, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday. While an investigation was launched by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), the incident has not been declared as terrorism. Separately, two men aged 45 and 47, arrested last Wednesday, have both been released on bail until later in April. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in North West London said a “bespoke policing plan” has been deployed at vulnerable areas across London, including …

Teenager arrested on suspicion of arson after fire rips through historic mill | UK News

Teenager arrested on suspicion of arson after fire rips through historic mill | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire broke out at a Grade II-listed building in Staffordshire. Officers were called at 9.35pm on Friday to reports that The Big Mill on Mill Street, Leek, was on fire, Staffordshire Police said. No-one was injured and a fire investigation is taking place, the force added. Police announced on Saturday morning that an 18-year-old man from Leek had been arrested on suspicion of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered and was in custody. Drone footage showed huge flames covering the entire building, with the roof no longer in place and a section of a wall missing. Read more from Sky News:‘Alarming’ report reveals number of UK meningitis deathsCrowds gather at vigil for mother after man charged with murder Six crews worked to contain the fire at its height, with four crews remaining by midday on Saturday. While the blaze is under control, it is yet to be extinguished because firefighters are unable to enter the building, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service …

An arson attack leaves Britain’s Jewish community feeling vulnerable

An arson attack leaves Britain’s Jewish community feeling vulnerable

Published by Sam Flores

LONDON (AP) — British police hunted three suspects on Tuesday over an arson attack on a Jewish charity’s ambulances and pledged to step up security around a community that feels increasingly at risk. The blaze in Golders Green, a London neighborhood with a large Jewish population, consumed four ambulances belonging to the volunteer organization Hatzola Northwest. Oxygen cylinders on the vehicles exploded, breaking windows in an adjacent apartment block. Also shattered was the community’s shaky sense of security, already strained by wars in the Middle East and what many say is soaring hatred of Jews. “We’re feeling vulnerable,” said Damon Hoff, president of the Machzike Hadath Synagogue, where the ambulances were parked. Some of the building’s stained-glass windows were damaged in the blast. “We know what’s going on,” Hoff said. “Nobody’s eyes are closed. We’re living through wars. There’s multiple fronts, and Britain is a part of it, and our community is a tiny little part of a very, very big world.” The UK Jewish community has deep roots Britain’s Jewish community is long-established but …