LONDON, April 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he was "increasingly concerned" about a growing use of proxies by foreign states to carry out attacks in Britain,
UK's Starmer Vows Action on Rising Foreign-Backed Proxy Attacks in Britain
Government Response to Recent Proxy Attacks
Prime Minister's Statement on Proxy Attacks
LONDON, April 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he was "increasingly concerned" about a growing use of proxies by foreign states to carry out attacks in Britain, pledging to bring forward new legislation following recent attacks.
Overview of Recent Attacks in London
Targeted Sites and Ongoing Investigations
London has seen a string of attacks - mostly arson - on Jewish-linked sites in recent weeks. Some of these are being investigated by counter-terrorism officers, although police say they are not currently being treated as terrorist incidents.
Authorities' Perspective on Foreign Involvement
British authorities have increasingly pointed to hostile state activity as part of the backdrop to recent incidents, warning that foreign governments may seek to operate through criminal networks or proxies to maintain deniability.
Starmer's Visit to Jewish Community and Legislative Plans
Meeting at Kenton United Synagogue
"I'm increasingly concerned that a number of countries are using proxies for attacks in this country," he said, speaking after meeting members of the Jewish community at Kenton United Synagogue, which was the target of an arson attack last Sunday.
Details of the Arson Incident
Impact and Legal Proceedings
The fire caused minor smoke damage to an internal room and there were no injuries. A 17-year-old British boy pleaded guilty on Tuesday to arson not endangering life in connection with the incident.
Call for Legislative Action
"We have to deal with malign state actors," Starmer said, adding that it would require legislation by the government.
Starmer's Vision for Security and Unity
"I want this country to be a place where everybody feels safe and secure. This is not just a battle for the Jewish community," Starmer said. "It is our battle. The Britain that I want is a Britain where people can practice their religion, their faith, in safety and security."
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; editing by William James)
