Counter-terrorism officers have arrested seven people, fearing they were in the "advanced stages" of planning a mass-casualty attack on the British mainland, the Guardian has learned.
The arrests were made in Birmingham, with six men arrested under counter-terrorism laws, and a woman arrested on suspicion of failing to disclose information.
Police say the plot, which they believe to be al-Qaida inspired, was thwarted after counter-terrorism officials received or developed intelligence about the men.
The arrests took place from 11.30am on Sunday, with the last suspect detained at around 1am on Monday morning. The raids took place in several deprived areas of the city which have sizeable Muslim populations.
The Liberal Democrat conference, which is taking place in Birmingham, is not thought to have been a target.
West Midlands police said it had led a "major counter-terrorism operation" which was intelligence-led. The operation involved the domestic security service, MI5, with officers from Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command supporting the Birmingham-based force.
The terrorist threat level for the UK remained at "substantial" after the arrests. It was lowered from the higher level of "severe" in July.
Police say the arrests were made by unarmed officers, indicating there was no expectation of finding explosives or weapons at the addresses raided. Searches were continuing on Monday across Birmingham, where more than 10 addresses were being checked by officers. One car was seen being taken away.
Past raids have seen the authorities embarrassed and caused harm to community relations when intelligence turned out to be wrong. West Midlands police have tended to adopt a policy of releasing minimal information.
The six men were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in the UK. They were aged 25 to 32. All are British citizens and some are believed to be of Pakistani heritage.
Police said they were arrested "at or in the vicinity of their home addresses". Counter-terrorism raids are usually conducted before dawn, as suspects are highly likely to be at home. The fact police moved when some were not at home, and the time the arrests were made, further suggests there was a rushed element to the raids.
The usual police policy is to let suspected terrorist plots develop in order to gather evidence to gain convictions in the courts, balanced against the risk a plot may pose to public safety.
The decision on what action should be taken is believed to have been made at an executive liaison group where police and MI5 meet to discuss major operations.
Police also confirmed that a 22-year-old woman from Saltley, Birmingham, had been arrested at 6.30am on suspicion of failing to disclose information contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000.
In a brief statement, West Midlands police's assistant chief constable for security, Marcus Beale, said: "The operation is in its early stages so we are unable to go into detail at this time about the nature of the suspected offences.
"However, I believe it was necessary to take action at this time in order to ensure public safety."
by Vikram Dodd and Richard Norton-Taylor taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/sep/19/anti-terrorist-police-arrest-birmingham
The arrests were made in Birmingham, with six men arrested under counter-terrorism laws, and a woman arrested on suspicion of failing to disclose information.
Police say the plot, which they believe to be al-Qaida inspired, was thwarted after counter-terrorism officials received or developed intelligence about the men.
The arrests took place from 11.30am on Sunday, with the last suspect detained at around 1am on Monday morning. The raids took place in several deprived areas of the city which have sizeable Muslim populations.
The Liberal Democrat conference, which is taking place in Birmingham, is not thought to have been a target.
West Midlands police said it had led a "major counter-terrorism operation" which was intelligence-led. The operation involved the domestic security service, MI5, with officers from Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command supporting the Birmingham-based force.
The terrorist threat level for the UK remained at "substantial" after the arrests. It was lowered from the higher level of "severe" in July.
Police say the arrests were made by unarmed officers, indicating there was no expectation of finding explosives or weapons at the addresses raided. Searches were continuing on Monday across Birmingham, where more than 10 addresses were being checked by officers. One car was seen being taken away.
Past raids have seen the authorities embarrassed and caused harm to community relations when intelligence turned out to be wrong. West Midlands police have tended to adopt a policy of releasing minimal information.
The six men were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in the UK. They were aged 25 to 32. All are British citizens and some are believed to be of Pakistani heritage.
Police said they were arrested "at or in the vicinity of their home addresses". Counter-terrorism raids are usually conducted before dawn, as suspects are highly likely to be at home. The fact police moved when some were not at home, and the time the arrests were made, further suggests there was a rushed element to the raids.
The usual police policy is to let suspected terrorist plots develop in order to gather evidence to gain convictions in the courts, balanced against the risk a plot may pose to public safety.
The decision on what action should be taken is believed to have been made at an executive liaison group where police and MI5 meet to discuss major operations.
Police also confirmed that a 22-year-old woman from Saltley, Birmingham, had been arrested at 6.30am on suspicion of failing to disclose information contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000.
In a brief statement, West Midlands police's assistant chief constable for security, Marcus Beale, said: "The operation is in its early stages so we are unable to go into detail at this time about the nature of the suspected offences.
"However, I believe it was necessary to take action at this time in order to ensure public safety."
by Vikram Dodd and Richard Norton-Taylor taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/sep/19/anti-terrorist-police-arrest-birmingham
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