Twelve people have been arrested, including three on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, in connection with a suspected far-right terror plot against an Islamic event in Suffolk. Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the alleged threat to the UK Ijtima gathering at Shrubland Hall.
The event, which drew an estimated 15,000 people over four days, was closed slightly earlier than planned on Sunday as a precaution after police said there was a "potential serious threat". Among those detained were eight people arrested under terrorism laws and a woman aged 48 held in east London on suspicion of assisting an offender. One of the men arrested is 82 years old.
Counter-terrorism officers made arrests on Sunday and Monday across Greater Manchester, London, Essex, Ipswich and Surrey. The intelligence that led to the arrests emerged over the weekend, with the event already under way, according to sources. Organisers and the venue owner were told on Sunday that police had asked them to finish the event early because of a credible threat.
Ruman Muhith, who helped organisers handle the media, described the gathering as a "wonderful event" with people from around the world. He said attendees had put on England tops and gone to the local pub to watch the football match against Norway. Police said there was no wider threat to the public connected to the matter.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing London, said: "After becoming aware of a potential serious threat towards the Islamic event in Suffolk, we have moved extremely quickly to make a number of arrests in various locations across the country." A spokesperson for the Muslim Council of Britain said the threat facing Muslim communities was "real, not imagined", and called for action rather than statements.
