Arrests Made Over Suspected Plot to Disrupt London Stock Exchange
Six people were arrested over a suspected plot to disrupt the London Stock Exchange (LSE) when the market opened for trade Monday. The plot, allegedly planned by activists from the Palestine Action group, aimed to cause damage and prevent the exchange from opening for trading. The arrests were made following an investigation prompted by information passed to the Metropolitan Police by the Daily Express newspaper.
The Suspected Plot
The alleged plot was attributed to activists from the Palestine Action group, who were said to have intended to target the exchange on Monday morning with the aim of causing damage and preventing it from opening for trading. The police force issued a statement regarding the intended disruption, while highlighting that the LSE has not had a physical trading floor since 1986, with all equities trading taking place electronically. Despite the alleged plot, UK markets were functioning as normal on Monday.
The Arrests and Charges
Metropolitan Police officers, in collaboration with colleagues from Merseyside Police in Liverpool, arrested six individuals on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage. The London force confirmed that all six remained in custody, with one individual charged with an offense and due to appear in court. Additionally, a post from Palestine Action on Monday revealed that five of the six arrested activists had been released, while one remained in custody awaiting court proceedings.
Police Response and Statement
Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Sian Thomas emphasized the significance of the arrests, stating that the group was believed to be prepared to carry out a disruptive and damaging stunt with potentially serious implications. Thomas expressed gratitude to the Daily Express for providing crucial information from their own investigation, which played a key role in the successful intervention. The limited time available to act after receiving the information was highlighted, reflecting the urgency of the situation. The London Stock Exchange declined to comment on the matter.
