Terror Arrests May Have Foiled Major Plot
Four men have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in a series of raids, during which one suspect was Tasered.
The men – all aged 20 or 21 – were detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command at addresses across London as part of an investigation into Islamist terror activities.
Officers believe the raids disrupted what could have been a “significant plot”, according to a Whitehall source quoted by the Press Association.
The 21-year-old who was Tasered during his arrest did not require medical treatment, Scotland Yard said.
“SO15 officers were assisted in the execution of warrants at one of the addresses by officers from the Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19). No shots were fired,” police said in a statement.
“A number of residential addresses and vehicles are being searched by specialist officers in west and central London as part of the investigation. The searches are ongoing.
“These arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism.”
All four suspects have been taken to police stations in central London and remain in custody.
Sky News correspondent Mark White explained: “The information that we’re getting from sources suggests that this was an early disruption of what might have been a significant plot had it been allowed to come to fruition.
“There has been a change in recent months in the way that the authorities will approach these plots… the authorities no longer have the luxury of following a terror group that might be buying the ingredients for an explosive device and conspiring among themselves for many months.
“These plots can spring up so quickly that the police have to intervene at a very early stage and that might mean that, at the end of the day, they don’t get enough evidence that they can put before the court.
“But that’s the trade off – disrupting plots and safeguarding the public at the expense, perhaps, of a trial further down the line.”
sky news reports