Police Respond to Incident Near Israeli Embassy in Central London
Officers in protective clothing have been deployed to Kensington Gardens in central London following the discovery of several discarded items near the Israeli embassy. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed an increased police presence in the area as counter-terrorism units conduct a thorough investigation.
Video Investigation Underway
Counter Terrorism Policing London is currently examining a video that surfaced online overnight, in which a group claiming to be linked to Iran's Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia asserts they targeted the Israeli embassy using drones carrying what they describe as "dangerous substances." The footage reportedly shows individuals in hazmat suits operating drones with a target superimposed over an image of the embassy.
While authorities have confirmed that no actual attack occurred on the embassy, detectives are working urgently to verify the authenticity of the video and determine whether there is any connection between the online claims and the items found in Kensington Gardens.
Public Safety Measures Implemented
The Metropolitan Police has established cordons around the affected area, restricting public access to Kensington Gardens and its immediate surroundings. In their official statement, police emphasized: "We do not believe there to be any increased public safety risk at this stage, but we would urge people to avoid the area while officers carry out their work."
Police acknowledged that the sight of officers in protective gear might cause concern among local residents and the wider public, but stressed this was purely precautionary given the nature of the investigation.
Ongoing Assessment and Updates
Authorities continue to assess the discarded items found in the gardens while simultaneously investigating the online video's claims. The Metropolitan Police has committed to providing further updates as their inquiries progress and more information becomes available.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in diplomatic areas of London, though police maintain there is no immediate increased risk to public safety beyond the specific investigation area.
