Police arrest man suspected of paying criminals to burn down houses across London

Police arrested a man suspected of paying criminal associates to burn down houses across London
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A 29-year-old man suspected of paying people to carry out a string of arson attacks in London has been arrested.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, Met Police officers carried out a search warrant at an address in Northolt, north-west London.

Trained firearms officers used a tactic known as "containment and call out" or "dig out" used to arrest suspects officers believe are dangerous and could be in possession of weapons.

Police arrested the 29-year-old man on suspicion of three counts of conspiracy to commit arson, one with intent to endanger life in relation to three incidents in April 2020.

The arrest forms part of an investigation under Operation Eternal – the most significant operation the Met has ever launched against serious and organised crime.

It came after the encrypted Encrochat communication system used by organised criminals was hacked by law enforcement, leading to hundreds of arrests across the country.

Detective Sergeant John Cowell said the linked series of arson attacks could have "killed or seriously injured many people".

“The suspect in this case is alleged to have paid individuals to burn down houses and set fire to vehicles on behalf of other alleged criminal associates," DS Cowell said.

“Our top priority is tackling violence on the streets of London, and we will continue to target those involved in the most serious offences which cause unimaginable harm and blight our communities.

“This is just one of many investigations which will continue at pace over the coming months.

“We will not stop until we have seen these cases through the courts and brought those behind these crimes to justice.”

The Encrochat communication operation saw British law enforcement agencies seize guns, drugs, and millions in cash after dropping the net on organised crime groups across the UK.

They said suspected “Mr Bigs” were arrested, criminal gangs that were “untouchable” for years were broken up, and more than 200 murder plots were thwarted during the international law enforcement operation.

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