Get you up to speed: No hazardous substances detected near Israeli embassy following drone threat | News UK
Counter Terrorism Policing London is investigating suspicious items near the Israeli embassy in Kensington Gardens, which were assessed as non-hazardous.
Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London confirmed ongoing inquiries following the discovery of non-hazardous items near the Israeli embassy, assuring public safety.
Counter Terrorism Policing London is continuing inquiries related to suspicious items near the Israeli embassy while maintaining security cooperation with the embassy’s team.
What we know so far
Suspicious items found near the Israeli embassy in central London have been assessed as non-hazardous. The investigation into the discarded items prompted a significant police presence in Kensington Gardens, which was cordoned off since Friday morning.
Commander Helen Flanagan, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said, “We recognise this incident and consequent police activity may have caused concern among local residents and the wider public. We are grateful to them for their understanding while our work was undertaken.” The park reopened on Saturday.
While no attack occurred, police continue to collaborate with the embassy’s security team to ensure safety. Various emergency services, including a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear team, responded to the scene as a precaution.
This incident follows claims by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia of responsibility for other attacks in the area. However, police are not linking this investigation with an attempted arson at a synagogue in Finchley earlier this week.
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No hazardous materials found near Israeli embassy after drone attack threat | News UK
Suspicious items found near the Israeli embassy in central London have been assessed as non-hazardous.
The park reopened on Saturday.
Commander Helen Flanagan, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: ‘We recognise this incident and consequent police activity may have caused concern among local residents and the wider public. We are grateful to them for their understanding while our work was undertaken.
‘This work is being carried out by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London and our inquiries remain ongoing.
‘While the Embassy of Israel was not attacked, we continue to work closely with the Embassy and its security team to keep the site safe and secure.’
A van belonging to the WTXpolitan Police’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear team was near the bandstand in Kensington Gardens on Friday, around 500m away from the embassy.
A fire investigation unit from London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service’s hazardous area response team were also present at the scene, as were divers from the Met’s underwater and confined space search team.
It comes after Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia – which is suspected of being Iran-backed – also claimed responsibility for other arson attacks in north London.
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Hostile states including Iran have used criminal proxies to carry out acts in the UK before.
A teenage boy and two men were arrested after the latest attack at the offices of a Persian media organisation in Wembley.
Police are not linking the attack to an attempted arson at a synagogue in Finchley earlier this week, or the torching of Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green last month.
Counter-terror police are also investigating a suspected arson attack at a building said to be formerly used by the Jewish community in Hendon on Friday night.
Kensington Palace, where the Prince and Princess of Wales used to have their main home, is located on the western edge of Kensington Gardens.
Staff from the royal couple’s household based at the historic site are still at work there.