12 arrested in counter-terrorism raids

COUNTER terrorism police arrested 12 suspects in four cities yesterday over fears they were preparing to launch an attack.

Unarmed officers from four forces swooped on homes in London, Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham and Cardiff at 5am.

The raids came after several months of surveillance and monitoring by police and MI5 officers.

Sources said the operation was not linked to the recent failed Stockholm suicide bombing or the Yemen al-Qaida printer bomb plot.

It is understood the men, all aged between 17 and 28, were held because of fears they were linked to a potential bomb plot inspired by al-Qaida.

But one source said an attack was not believed to be imminent and that it was not modelled on the Mumbai commando-style atrocity.

The five men held in Cardiff are all of Bangladeshi origin and community leaders were informed of the arrests.

The operation was led by West Midlands Police, supported by Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command, South Wales Police and Staffordshire Police.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates, national lead for counter-terrorism policing, said: “This is a large-scale, pre-planned and intelligence-led operation involving several forces. The operation is in its early stages so we are unable to go into detail at this time about the suspected offences.

“However, I believe it was necessary at this time to take action in order to ensure public safety.”

All 12 suspects were detained on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in Britain.