British authorities have detained five individuals, four of whom are Iranian, on allegations of “terrorist crimes,” according to law enforcement sources.
The captures occurred in London, Swindon, and Manchester, and are associated with a “suspected conspiracy to target specific facilities,” as stated by the Metropolitan Police.
The men, aged between 29 and 46, are currently in custody on suspicions of “preparing for a terrorist act.”
The nationality of one of the detainees has not been confirmed yet.
Counterterrorism units had communicated with a location designed to provide awareness and relevant support, though specifics were withheld for operational reasons.
CMDR Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s counterterrorism branch, noted, “This is a rapidly evolving investigation, and we are in close contact with individuals at the affected sites to keep them informed.”
He further mentioned, “The inquiry is still at an early stage, exploring various lines of investigation to determine possible motivations and assess the threat to public safety associated with this matter.”
“We recognize that the public might feel uneasy, and I urge them to remain alert and reach out to us if they notice anything unusual,” added Murphy.
He also expressed gratitude to local officials in areas where the arrests were made, as well as appreciation for the assistance from police forces nationwide.
Officers are currently executing searches at multiple locations across Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon as part of this investigation.
The operation is being supported by personnel from both Greater Manchester and Wiltshire police, along with counterterrorism teams from different regions.
