Horrifying moment man throws petrol bomb at migrant hotel in north London

A man has been convicted of petrol-bombing a migrant hotel in north London.

Shocking CCTV footage shows Mark Neville, 65, dressed in all black, approaching a migrant hotel close to home in Islington at around 10.53pm on September 24, 2025.

The masked man is seen lighting the petrol bomb in a nearby doorway before walking to the hotel and throwing it over the gate - located on Dingley Road.

A large flash can be spotted from the entrance of the hotel as the flaming projectile sets alight, while Neville walks away from the scene. He is later captured on CCTV discarding a pair of gloves he used to commit the crime.

Mark Neville was seen lighting the petrol bomb in a doorway before throwing it towards the entrance

Metropolitan Police

Mark Neville was spotted throwing away his gloves

Met Police

Security guards at the hotel were able to quickly extinguish the fire and nobody was injured from the attack.

An investigation was consequently launched by the Met Police, allowing officers to use CCTV to track Neville from the scene of the crime to the door of his flat. Hundreds of hours of footage was reviewed to secure a clear photo of the suspect.

He was identified with the help of the local community and a forensic fire dog named Simba, who found a glove with his DNA close to the hotel.

Glass fragments from the petrol bomb were also linked to his DNA.

Mark Neville was arrested two days later and charged with arson

Metropolitan Police

Neville was arrested two days later and charged with arson with intent to endanger life, criminal damage, and other offences on the same day.

It is believed that Neville was motivated by hate and an anger towards immigration, after searches of his flat found internet searches on far-right activism and asylum seekers.

In a police interview, Neville said his friends often sent him articles about immigration and had attended marches in relation to the issue, including one outside the hotel he had targeted.

He initially denied his involved, claiming he had been visiting a friend diagnosed with dementia. But after being presented with additional evidence collected by the Met Police, he admitted that he was the person in the footage.

Neville pleaded guilty to his crimes at Snaresbrook Crown Court on October 28. He was convicted of attempted arson being reckless as to endanger life, possession of a bladed article, and possession of a prohibited weapon (stun gun) in a private place.

The hotel in Islington is no longer being used to house migrants.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley, whose team led the investigation, said: “Neville fire-bombed a hotel in an attack that was designed to terrify residents and the local community. His actions could easily have caused horrific injuries.

"Officers immediately moved to identify him, track him down and arrest him, examining hundreds of hours of CCTV and gathering crucial evidence.

“After he was arrested he tried to deny his guilt, as officers uncovered overwhelming proof that he was motivated by hate.

"We remain resolute in our determination to protect Londoners and relentlessly pursue those who seek to cause fear and harm, bringing serious offenders to justice."