Five of the men were arrested across England on Saturday as part of a “pre-planned” investigation into a plot to “target a specific premises,” says the Metropolitan Police, reports the BBC. Three of those five were Iranian nationals.
Three other Iranian men were arrested in London on Saturday under national security legislation as part of the second investigation. Police said the two operations were not connected.
The Met Police’s counter terrorism command (CTC) said the men were arrested in Swindon, west London, Stockport, Rochdale, and Manchester, and all remain in custody. Military personnel assisted in the Rochdale operation. The investigation related to a plot to target a “specific premises.” That location was not named.
"The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter," said Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
"We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us."
In a separate and unrelated operation also conducted on Saturday, three other Iranian men—aged 39, 44, and 55—were arrested under the National Security Act at three different addresses in north-west and west London. All three were taken into custody, and searches at those locations were ongoing, according to police.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the two operations are not connected.
“These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats,” said Secretary of State for the Home Department, Yvette Cooper.
Police have not released the names of the suspects in either case. Both investigations remain active.
