Arrests ‘could have foiled major UK terrorism plot’, say British police

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in a series of raids across London, 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 UK government source.

These arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism.

Police statement

The 21-year-old who was tasered during his arrest did not require medical treatment, the Met Police said. “Officers were assisted in the execution of warrants at one of the addresses by officers from the Specialist Firearms Command. No shots were fired,” police said in a statement. All four suspects have been taken to police stations in central London and remain in custody. The terror threat in the UK was recently raised to “severe” because of the increase in the number of Britons traveling to Syria to join up with the Islamic State group. The government has said the militant group plans to strike targets inside Britain.

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.

Police statement

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