Ten arrested in UK anti-terror raids

Nine men and one woman were arrested today in a series of anti-terror raids across the UK.

Seven of them, including the woman, were arrested in Greater Manchester. The three other men were arrested in Staffordshire, South Yorkshire and the West Midlands.

All 10, described by police as North African and Iraqi Kurdish in origin, were held on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

One of the raids took place above a kebab shop in a university district of central Manchester.

The overall operation, which involved more than 400 officers, was co-ordinated by Greater Manchester Police and also involved the security services and the Metropolitan Police’s Anti-Terrorist Branch.

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Whatton, of Greater Manchester Police, said the raids were part of an “on-going operation related to the threat of terrorism”.

He added: “It is part of an on-going operation that has been underway for some time and will continue in the future.

“This is the first action that the public have become aware of as it is overt but nothing should be read into that.

“At this time we have nine men and one woman in custody.

“Our enquiries lead us to believe they are of Iraqi Kurd and North African origin.

“They are in police custody and will be interviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry.”