Eleven men and one woman have been arrested as a part of a terrorism investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London – in connection to a suspected threat towards an Islamic event in Suffolk, the Met Police has revealed.
The investigation, which has been branded as extreme right-wing terror related, included the arrests of two men in their 30s and a 48-year-old woman from East London on Monday – all of whom remain in police custody.
Organisers of the Islamic event ‘UK Ijitma’ held at Shrubland Hall in Barham over the weekend were advised by Suffolk Police to close the event early on Sunday due to concerns over the possible threat.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed her thanks towards CPT and Suffolk Police during an address to the House of Commons on Monday.
She said: “This weekend an event in Suffolk was to be attended by over 10,000 muslims, instead it ended early because the police had become aware of a credible threat to the lives of those present.
“They acted with speed and skill – and I thank Suffolk police, Counter Terrorism Policing and the organisers for their swift and effective response.
“Thanks to their actions, those attending the UK Ijitma in Barham were kept safe.
“This investigation is at an early stage and we must give them space to pursue their lines of enquiry.
“We must all stand united against hatred, and the actions of a minority are not who we really are as a country, and we should never be defined by those who plot violence against their fellow countrymen and women.”
Officers are continuing to conduct searches at various addresses across the country that are linked to those arrested, and enquiries are ongoing.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of CTP London said: “Sadly, this activity is a stark reminder that the threat level in the UK is at ‘severe’, so we urge the public to remain vigilant and report anything if it doesn’t look or feel right.”
Suffolk Constabulary confirmed that there will be visible police presence in the area of Shrubland Hall over the coming days.
Featured Image photo by Oli Woodman on Unsplash
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