Five Men Nabbed in Major Terror Raids Across UK
Five men have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in a sweeping operation led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.
Coordinated Arrests Hit Swindon, London, Manchester and More
The arrests took place on Saturday, 3 May during a coordinated action spanning multiple locations:
- A 29-year-old man in Swindon
- A 46-year-old man in West London
- A 29-year-old man in Stockport
- A 40-year-old man in Rochdale
- An unidentified-age man in Manchester
All were arrested under suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Four Iranian Nationals Amongst Those Detained
Four of the suspects are confirmed Iranian nationals, arrested under terrorism powers. The nationality of the fifth man is still being verified; he was arrested under standard police powers.
All five remain in police custody as investigations continue, with searches ongoing across Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon.
Investigation Into Suspected Plot Still Under Wraps
The probe is linked to a suspected plot targeting a specific premises, but officers are keeping details tight for security reasons.
Commander Dominic Murphy, 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. We are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation and to determine if there is any further risk to the public.”
He added: “We urge the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious, either by calling 0800 789 321 or visiting www.gov.uk/ACT.”
