Four men are arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran ‘by carrying out surveillance linked to the Jewish community in London’

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran following a police probe into surveillance of members of the Jewish community in London. 

The suspects, one Iranian and three dual British-Iranian nationals, were taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police at around 1am this morning. 

The force said the men, aged 22, 40, 52 and 55, were arrested at addresses in Harrow, Watford and Barnet.  

They were detained as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into suspected National Security Act offences.

The probe relates to suspected surveillance of locations and individuals linked to the Jewish community in the London area. 

The Metropolitan Police said a 40-year-old man and a 55-year-old man were arrested at addresses in Barnet, with searches ongoing.

A 52-year-old man was arrested at an address in Watford. Police are searching the property and another linked address in Wembley.

A 22-year-old man was arrested at an address in Harrow, the Met Police added.

Six other men, aged 29, 39, 42, 49 and two aged 20, were arrested at the same location in Harrow on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All 10 men remain in custody.

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: ‘Today’s arrests are part of a long-running investigation and part of our ongoing work to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it.

‘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.’

Rabbi Herschel Gluck, president of Shomrim North and East London, said police patrols have been ‘stepped up’ since the conflict in Iran began.

He said: ‘We all know Iran have cells in this country and has had cells here for a very long time – so this is no surprise.’

Speaking about the arrests, Rabbi Gluck added: ‘It certainly should reduce the concerns in the community.

‘We have been aware for a long time of the danger of an attack from these cells, which there are a number of in this country, would exponentially increase in the situation we are in at the moment.’

Searches are ongoing at the addresses where the suspects were arrested by counter-terrorism officers, as well as additional properties in Wembley and Barnet.

Six other men were also arrested in Harrow on suspicion of assisting an offender and have been taken into custody, the force said.

A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said: ‘Security is strong across the Jewish community.

‘CST thanks Counter Terror Policing London and will not be commenting further at this time.’