A rapid police investigation has led to a suspect being taken into custody following an overnight fire attack at a northwest London Islamic centre that has become a focal point for demonstrations connected to the Iranian regime.
Officers detained a 47-year-old man shortly after midday on Tuesday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, fewer than 12 hours after the incident occurred at the Islamic Centre of England in Maida Vale. The suspect remains in police custody as enquiries continue.
Investigators are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the early morning attack, which took place at approximately 00:15 on Tuesday when two flammable objects were reportedly thrown onto the centre’s grounds.
The London Fire Brigade attended alongside Metropolitan Police following reports of the blaze, though the flames had extinguished themselves before emergency services reached the scene. Fire damage was confined to a cabin structure and a parked vehicle within the grounds, with the main centre building escaping harm. No casualties resulted from the incident.
Detectives believe the perpetrator fled the location by car immediately after throwing the incendiary devices. The speed of the subsequent arrest suggests officers moved quickly to identify and locate their suspect based on initial evidence gathered at the scene.
The Islamic Centre of England has previously served as a gathering point for opposing protest groups—those supporting and those opposing Iran’s government. Recent developments in Iran have already intensified existing divisions between these factions, according to police assessments.
Metropolitan Police have acknowledged the attack will likely increase anxiety within affected communities given the already elevated tensions surrounding the venue. A force spokesperson addressed these concerns directly, urging restraint from all parties whilst the criminal investigation proceeds.
“Tensions between those groups were already heightened given events in Iran in recent weeks, and we understand that this incident will be the cause of further community concern,” the spokesperson stated, calling on everyone to “remain calm, to allow officers to do their job through the investigation, and to avoid any sort of escalation.”
The investigation remains active, with detectives appealing for anyone who witnessed the overnight incident or possesses relevant information to come forward. Witnesses can contact police on 101, providing crime reference number 0069/03FEB when calling.
The case now progresses through the standard custody and charging procedures, with the arrested individual facing questioning whilst officers continue gathering evidence. Authorities have not indicated whether additional arrests are anticipated as the investigation develops.
