The London police have arrested six people, including three brothers and a woman as part of an intelligence-led operation in London on Thursday. The operation included the services of MI5, the UK’s national security intelligence agency, sources told Pakistan Today.
A former police and community support officer for the London Metropolitan police was included in the group, however, Scotland Yard would not confirm that detail. Counter-terrorism officers investigating a suspected plot to attack targets in Britain carried out the raids. Although police said they were not linked to any threat to the Olympics, officials say they will intervene quicker than usual in disrupting suspected plots in the run-up to the event, which counter-terrorism forces fear is a major target. One person was shot with a Taser stun gun and Scotland Yard said armed officers had been deployed during the arrests, which is an unusual decision and indicative of the risk counter-terrorism chiefs thought officers faced in carrying out the raid.
Officials believe they are dealing with a plot inspired by al-Qaida ideology. A London Police spokesperson said those arrested included a 21-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman who were detained at separate residential addresses in West London. Three other men, aged 18, 24, and 26, were arrested at residential properties in East London. The spokesperson further said, “searches under the Terrorism Act 2000 are being carried out at eight residential premises in East, West and North London and one business premises in East London. Public safety remains our overriding concern. Today’s operation in London is not linked to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.” One of those held was a British national who grew up in Dorset, a source in the Muslim community told the BBC.
