Four suspected far-right extremists have been arrested in a major counter-terror swoop across Eastbourne and Brighton. The operation, led by specialist officers, targeted a planned extremist plot after months of intelligence work.
Coordinated Terror Arrests Across Sussex
Counter Terrorism Policing South East confirmed the detention of a 27-year-old woman from Hailsham and three men aged 33, 36, and 41 from Eastbourne. All four were arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and remain in custody as searches continue.
Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Rayland urged calm. “These arrests are part of a planned operation to keep our communities safe,” he said, addressing local concerns over the high-profile police action.
Intelligence Leads to Swift Police Action
The arrests capped months of surveillance, monitoring, and intelligence gathering by counter-terror specialists. Officers utilised extensive evidence and communication analysis before moving in, ensuring the suspects posed genuine threats.
Under Section 41, police can arrest without a warrant if terrorism links are suspected. Those held can be detained for 48 hours initially, with possible extensions.
Ongoing Searches Unearth Crucial Evidence
Investigators are combing through residential properties looking for weapons, extremist literature, and incriminating communications. Such raids often take time due to the volume of evidence involved.
The involvement of Counter Terrorism Policing South East highlights the regional scale of the operation, which spans multiple counties tackling terrorism and extremist threats.
