Police arrest 12 over suspected far-right threat against Islamic event in Suffolk | UK news
Twelve people have been arrested, including three on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, on suspicion of posing a far-right threat against an Islamic event this weekend, police said.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating what they say is “far-right terrorism” targeting an event at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk.
Police said there was a “potentially serious threat” to the event, which was attended by around 15,000 people over four days.
While 3 of those arrested were detained on suspicion of attempted murder, 8 were arrested under terrorism laws. One of the men arrested is an 82-year-old retiree. A 48-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in east London.
Police said the 82-year-old man was released on bail while the others remained in custody.
The Guardian understands the intelligence that led to the arrests emerged at the weekend. Arrests were made while the incident was ongoing, which sources claimed showed how late the intervention came. The event was closed earlier than planned as a precaution and declared a major event.
Officers are searching a number of addresses across the UK as the investigation continues.
Police added: “Due to concerns about the potential threat and as a precaution, the organizers of the Ijtima event in the UK, through Suffolk police, have been advised to close the event slightly earlier than planned on Sunday, July 12. It is not believed that there is a wider threat to the public in connection with this matter.”
Counter-terrorism officers made arrests in Greater Manchester, London, Essex, Ipswich and Surrey on Sunday and Monday.
The Ipswich Star reported that event organizers said the meeting was the subject of misinformation on social media. Roads were closed, organizers said, saying police told them they feared people were planning to go to the event, potentially disrupting it.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing in London, said: He said: “After becoming aware of a potentially serious threat to Islamic activity in Suffolk, we acted extremely quickly to make a number of arrests at various locations across the country.
“In response, I would like to thank my colleagues in Suffolk Police for their continued support, which led to the declaration of a major incident on Sunday. “I would also like to thank the organizers of the event and members of the public affected by it.
“I understand that this news may be of concern to the public, and particularly the Muslim community, given that we believe the intended target is an Islamic incident. However, as we have demonstrated, we will not hesitate to take action if there is any potential threat, regardless of who or what the potential target is.”
Assistant Chief Constable Alice Scott, of Suffolk Constabulary, said: “We will have a visible police presence in the Shrubland Hall area over the coming days to provide some reassurance.
“The situation was declared a major incident in the early hours of Sunday morning, with a multi-agency response convened to ensure a safe and properly coordinated departure from the event of 15,000 attendees.”
