Counter-terrorism police are investigating an attempted arson attack on a business in north-west London, an incident that has been claimed by a shadowy group with suspected links to Iran.
The Metropolitan Police said a man was seen approaching a row of shops in Hendon on Friday evening carrying a plastic bag containing three bottles of liquid. He attempted to set the items alight but fled the scene when the bottles failed to fully ignite. The force confirmed the attack caused only minor damage to a shopfront and no injuries were reported.
Online, individuals purporting to represent the group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) claimed responsibility. Messages circulated on pro-Iranian Telegram channels stated the target was the Jewish education charity Jewish Futures, which has its office in Hendon and works to connect organisations delivering Jewish educational programmes.
A Pattern of Claims and a Mysterious Group
This is not the first time HAYI has been linked to an attack in the capital. The group’s Telegram channel, which was established two years ago but only became active in March 2026, has been used to claim a series of incidents across Europe targeting Jewish sites and Western institutions.
Western security services assess that HAYI, which emerged shortly after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, may be a construct aligned with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) or an opportunistic network within the pro-Iranian online ecosystem. Its claims are typically disseminated through Telegram channels affiliated with pro-Iranian militias and news outlets.
The group’s modus operandi often involves arson or improvised explosive devices, and it is believed to use hired individuals, frequently young people, to carry out attacks. Its propaganda, issued in English, Arabic, and Hebrew, justifies targeting “Zionist” and “American interests worldwide” as vengeance for actions in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon. Analysts note curious details, such as a logo that misspells the Arabic word for “Islamic” and the use of imagery featuring a Soviet-era rifle, which is atypical for Iran-backed groups, leading some to suggest HAYI may be an “astroturfed” brand rather than an organic militant network.
A Cluster of Incidents Under Investigation
In recent weeks, Counter Terrorism Policing London has been investigating a cluster of incidents in north-west London, several of which HAYI has claimed.
On 23 March, four ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer service Hatzola Northwest were set alight in Golders Green, causing an estimated £1 million in damage and exploding oxygen tanks that broke windows in a nearby block. This is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, and counter-terrorism officers have been investigating HAYI’s claim of responsibility. Several arrests have been made, with four individuals charged in connection.
Then, on 15 April, two incidents occurred: an attempted arson at Finchley Reform Synagogue, where petrol bottles and a brick were thrown but failed to ignite, and an arson attack on the offices of a Persian language media organisation. Both are being treated as hate crimes, with arrests made in the synagogue case.
Two days later, on 17 April, police responded to an incident near the Israeli Embassy after HAYI shared a video claiming to have targeted the embassy with drones. While the embassy was not attacked, officers examined discarded items in Kensington Gardens as a precaution.
Police Response and Community Reassurance
Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London stated that while the Hendon arson is not currently being linked to the other local incidents, counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation due to the similarities. “I would ask that anyone with information or footage that could help our investigation gets in touch with police as soon as possible,” she said.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, acknowledged the impact on the community. “I understand and appreciate their concerns, and I know this latest incident will add to fears,” he said. “Local officers are working closely with Counter Terrorism Policing to support the investigation. The community can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area.”
The Metropolitan Police have stated that while the incidents are not currently classified as terrorism, officers are keeping an “open mind” regarding the motives. The broader context is one of increased vigilance; Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for counter terrorism policing, has noted a significant rise in national security investigations with suspected links to foreign states.
