Kensington Gardens in London has reopened after police declared that suspicious items found near the Israeli embassy were non-hazardous. Officers in protective suits responded on Friday following a video posted online by an Iran-linked Islamist group claiming to have targeted the embassy with drones carrying dangerous substances.
The Metropolitan Police assessed the items, which included two jars containing a powdered substance, and confirmed no harmful substances were detected. Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London said the items were non-hazardous but investigations into a possible link to the online video continue.
The video, reportedly posted by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, showed a target over the Israeli embassy and individuals in hazmat suits operating drones. The group, suspected of being Iran-backed, has previously claimed responsibility for arson attacks in north London.
Police divers and dogs from the London Fire Brigade also attended the scene near the bandstand and Round Pond in Kensington Gardens. Flanagan thanked the public for their patience and noted that the embassy was not attacked, though police continue to work with its security team to ensure safety.
