News, Wiltshire
The public has been urged not to speculate about an arrest made in public as part of a major counter-terrorism investigation.
A 29-year-old Iranian man in Swindon was among eight men arrested on Saturday in two separate operations into an alleged plot to “target a specific premises”, the Metropolitan Police said.
Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, warned that “sharing unverified information can hinder the work of officers” and potentially compromise the extensive investigation.
He added there will be an increased police presence in Swindon while counter-terrorism officers continue their enquiries.
A property in the Manchester Road area of the town is continuing to be searched.
Mr Wilkinson said: “I understand that such events can cause concern within our communities but I would like to emphasise the operation was intelligence-led, and the swift actions of our law enforcement agencies have ensured public safety.
“I know the headlines appear alarming and you will still see a strong police presence in some areas but I would urge everyone to avoid speculation about the ongoing investigation.”
Video captured by a member of the public shows officers wearing balaclavas and plain clothes dragging a man through a pedestrianised area of Swindon town centre.
One eyewitness told the that six men entered a cafe the suspect was in, before following him out and “jumped on him” in the street.
One of the pre-planned operations saw five men arrested in west London, Swindon, Rochdale, Stockport and Manchester.
Home Office minister Dan Jarvis said on Tuesday that hundreds of officers were now carrying out forensic investigations and collecting evidence at different sites across the country.
‘Ready to assist’
The men, who are Iranian nationals, are suspected of plotting to target a specific premises, Jarvis told MPs – though he said he could not disclose where.
Police have been granted extra time to question four of the men, while a fifth has been released on bail.
The five arrests took place on the same day as three more Iranian men were arrested as part of a separate counter-terrorism investigation.
All three are from London and were arrested under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023, which authorises police to detain those suspected of “foreign power threat activity”.
The government of Iran said it was “disturbed” to learn of the arrest of its citizens by British anti-terror police. The Iranian foreign minister said his country stands ready to assist if “credible allegations” are established.
