Police are investigating whether items found near the Israeli embassy in central London are linked to a video posted on social media claiming the building would be targeted by drones carrying dangerous substances.
The Metropolitan Police said the embassy had not been attacked and police were working to verify the source and authenticity of the video.
There was a heavy police presence in the park, visible from behind the cordon.
The embassy confirmed the site had not been attacked and staff were safe, while the Met said it “does not believe there is an increased risk to public safety at this stage”.
Specialist forensic police are investigating [PA Media]
A cordon was set up around the park on Friday morning and it was expected to be closed throughout the day.
The Metropolitan Police chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear team were spotted near the park’s bandstand and police divers were spotted near the Round Pond ornamental lake.
London Fire Brigade’s fire investigation dogs were also deployed to the scene, as well as the London Ambulance Service’s hazardous area response team.
[BBC]
Matt Jewkes, deputy chief constable of London’s Metropolitan Police, said: “The London Counter-Terrorism Service is aware of a video that has been circulating online overnight showing a group of people claiming to have attacked the nearby Israeli embassy… We are carrying out an urgent investigation to establish the authenticity of the video and identify any potential links between it and items discarded in Kensington Gardens.”
Police are urging people to avoid the area while investigations take place.
Local resident Jeffrey told BBC News he was worried “because we don’t know what it is”.
“This is a place where people come to relax and have a good time…the closure of the park will have an impact on people and we don’t know when it will reopen,” he said.
Royal Parks says Kensington Gardens will remain closed throughout Friday [Reuters]
A video posted on social media, appearing to be posted by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, an Islamist group with links to Iran, shows a target appearing over an image of the Israeli embassy, followed by people wearing protective suits flying drones.
The group also posted videos on social media of several other incidents in London, including an arson attack on four Jewish ambulances in Golders Green, an arson attack on Finchley Synagogue and an arson attack on a Persian media company in the Royal Park.
However, police said they were not currently linking the incident to any other attacks.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp called on the government to put in place measures to protect embassies.
“The relentless intimidation of the Jewish community and attacks on Jewish institutions will never be tolerated in this country,” he said.
An embassy spokesman said: “A suspected security incident is under investigation in a park near the Israeli Embassy in London.
“We would like to clarify that all embassy staff are safe and the embassy was not attacked.
“As always, we are in close, ongoing contact with local authorities.”
Kensington Palace is the former main residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, located to the west of Kensington Gardens.
Staff members of the royal couple’s family who are located at the historic site still work there.
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