London's Metropolitan Police have charged Abdullah Sabah Albadri, a 33-year-old man, with preparing 'terrorist acts' and possession of a pointed or bladed article, following an incident at the Israeli Embassy in Kensington. The arrest occurred on Monday evening after officers from the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command noticed Albadri attempting to gain unauthorized access to the embassy grounds.

Commander Dominic Murphy, leading the Counter Terrorism Command, emphasized that initial investigations suggest Albadri acted alone and that there is no broader threat to public safety. 'We continue with our investigation and would urge the public not to speculate further at this time,' Murphy stated, highlighting the ongoing nature of the inquiry despite the charges already laid.

The incident has drawn attention to the security measures surrounding diplomatic premises in London, particularly those associated with nations involved in geopolitical tensions. The swift response by the police underscores the high level of vigilance maintained around such sensitive locations.

Albadri is scheduled to appear in court, marking the next step in a legal process that will scrutinize the motives behind the alleged attempt to breach embassy security. The case has reignited discussions on the challenges of preventing lone-actor threats in urban centers.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."