London Police Arrest Two Over Iranian Spying

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the force did not believe the public was in danger. "We know that news of these arrests will come as a concern to some members of the public, but I want to stress that we do not believe there to be any imminent threat to the wider public in connection with this matter," she said.

Flanagan said the case is part of a wider surge in state-threat work. "We've seen a marked increase in the tempo of our work linked to national security and state threats over the past year and this investigation is a continuation of that," she said. "As we've shown here, if we suspect any activity could threaten the safety of the UK or the public, then we will not hesitate to take action."

Police moved to knock down two assumptions at once. The investigation "is not connected to any of the incidents or attacks earlier this year that have been targeted at various venues and buildings linked to Jewish and Iranian communities across London," the Met said, "nor is it connected to any activity or events linked to the upcoming High Holy Days period."