Counter-terrorism detectives have been granted more time to question four men arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, with a focus on alleged surveillance of Jewish locations and individuals. The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Saturday that the suspects, one Iranian and three dual British-Iranian nationals, can now be held in custody until 13 March.
The men, aged 22, 40, 52 and 55, were arrested under the National Security Act at addresses in Harrow, Watford and Barnet shortly after 1am on Friday. Six other men, aged between 20 and 49, arrested at the same location in Harrow, have been bailed pending further investigation. One of the men was further arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
Detectives are investigating whether the alleged surveillance was linked to a potential desire to carry out attacks on British soil. Part of the inquiry involves examining claims that in-person surveillance in London took place and whether it was directed from overseas. The operation by counter-terrorism police and MI5 had been ongoing for months.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Friday the arrests meant police had kept “Britain safe from a potential threat”. She added: “I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they’ve taken today to keep Britain safe from a potential threat. The Jewish community and the wider public will understandably be concerned by today’s arrests. We continue to monitor the situation closely and engage with those affected.”
Mahmood emphasised that police and security services were world-leading and would use all available tools to counter threats. In October last year, MI5’s director general, Ken McCallum, stated that 20 plots linked to Iran had been disrupted on UK soil in the previous 12 months, most against Iranian dissident targets and at least one linked to an Israeli target in Britain.
