Eight arrested in two separate counter-terrorism investigations

Eight people have been arrested in two separate counter-terrorism investigations, police have said.

Five men were arrested across England on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act after police uncovered a suspected plot to target a single premises.

Four of the men arrested on Saturday were Iranian nationals and the nationality of the fifth is still being established, police said.

Separately, the Met Police said three Iranian men were arrested in London as part of a different Counter Terrorism Policing investigation.

In a statement on Sunday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanked the police and security services for their action to “keep our country safe”.

“I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they have taken to keep our country safe,” she said.

“Protecting national security is the first duty of government and our police and security services have our strong support in their vital work.

“These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats.

“The government continues to work with police and intelligence agencies to support all the action and security assessments that are needed to keep the country safe.”

In the investigation where five people were arrested, four were detained under the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006.

The fifth man was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).

The pre-planned arrests included a 29-year-old man in the Swindon area; a 46-year-old man in west London; a 29-year-old man in the Stockport area; a 40-year-old man in the Rochdale area; a fifth man in the Manchester area.

Counter Terrorism Police have been in contact with the site to make them aware of the suspected plot, and to provide relevant advice and support, the Met Police said in a statement.

The site has not been identified for operational reasons, they added.

Commander Dominic Murphy, who is head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated.

“The investigation is still in its early stages, and we are exploring various lines of inquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter.

“We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us.”

Officers are carrying out searches at a number of addresses in the Greater Manchester, London and Swindon areas in connection with the investigation.

In a separate counter-terrorism operation, the Met Police confirmed three Iranian men were arrested on Saturday.

Police said in a statement that Counter Terrorism Policing units had taken three men into custody in London.

Two of the men, aged 39 and 44 respectively, were arrested at separate addresses in north-west London.

A 55-year-old man was also apprehended at a third address, located in west London.

The London trio were arrested and detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023 and remain in custody.

Searches continue at the three addresses across London.