The Metropolitan Police have apprehended six individuals over a suspected scheme to disrupt operations at the London Stock Exchange. This development follows an investigation initiated by the police based on information received from the Daily Express last Friday.
According to reports, activists from Palestine Action allegedly planned to target the Stock Exchange on Monday morning. The group’s intention was reportedly to cause substantial damage and employ tactics to prevent the building from opening for trading. Detective Superintendent Sian Thomas suggested that this could have been part of a broader week of planned actions.
In a coordinated effort, the Metropolitan Police are working with other forces to prepare for any potential disruptions in the coming days. The first arrest in this operation involved a 31-year-old man in Liverpool, suspected of conspiracy to cause criminal damage.
Subsequent arrests included a 29-year-old woman in Brent, a 23-year-old man in Tower Hamlets, two women aged 28 and 26 in Liverpool, and a 27-year-old man in Brighton. All six individuals, believed to be connected to the same plot, are currently in police custody.
Palestine Action, in response to these arrests, stated that their direct action campaign would not be deterred and that they were unafraid of risking their liberty for their cause. Detective Superintendent Thomas emphasized the significance of these arrests, noting that the group appeared ready to execute a disruptive and potentially damaging act with serious implications.
The information provided by the Daily Express was pivotal in enabling the police to intervene effectively. These arrests come in the wake of several pro-Palestinian protests in London, following the recent hostilities involving Hamas in Israel and Israel’s military response in Gaza.
