TERROR POLICE SWOOP ON NEWPORT
THERE was a heavy police presence in a Welsh city yesterday after three men were arrested in connection with the Parsons Green terror attack in London.
A 48-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were arrested under section 41 of the Terrorism Act at around 5am yesterday at an address in Newport, after a 25-year-old man was arrested at a separate address in Newport on Tuesday.
The two men arrested yesterday in connection with the Parsons Green attack are believed to have lived at a house on West Street in what was described by neighbours as a “halfway house” for asylum seekers.
The pair were detained during a raid by counter-terrorism officers at a home in Newport early on Wednesday morning.
A third man, 25, who was arrested at a separate address in Newport shortly after 7pm on Tuesday, and two other suspects detained on Saturday remain in custody, taking the total number of arrests to five.
Friday morning’s bomb attack on a London Underground train left 30 people injured.
Searches are being carried out at four addresses, with Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Met Counter Terrorism Command, describing them as expected to take “some days to complete”.
Residents described the house on West Street, Newport, as a “halfway house” for asylum seekers.
One local businessman, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s apparently a halfway house for the Home Office.
“The people that live there don’t come from around here. I don’t think they’ve been there for long.”
CCTV images from a local taxi company, Town Taxis Newport, show police arriving on West Street at 5.10am.
In the footage, a marked police van drives into the residential street with three marked police cars and four unmarked cars.
Officers are seen walking into West Street from vehicles parked on nearby streets.
Police officers remained at the scene yesterday and the road was closed to non-residents.
Forensics officers dressed in white suits went into the property, while police dogs were also at the scene.
Meanwhile witnesses to the
arrest in Newport on Tuesday described officers “jumping” a man who was put into a police car and driven away.
Nearby resident Sully Ali, 19, a parttime model, told the Press Association: “A big van pulled up and six officers got out and jumped this guy.
“There were two armed officers there, they didn’t have their guns pointed at him but they had them on show.
“I didn’t hear him saying anything or the police saying anything to him.”
Residents said the arrested man had lived in the area for many years and attended local mosques.
“He was a nice guy, everybody knew him,” one man said.
“He was a student here and he worked as a painter and decorator.”
One mother added: “He did some painting on our house about two years ago.
“He was a nice guy, he was very softly spoken.
“He used to condemn terrorism in front of my husband, my husband would condemn terrorism and he would agree with him.
“Muslims in this area are totally shocked, we condemn terrorism totally and we totally condemn what happened in London.”
It’s understood that one of the men arrested in Newport in connection with Friday’s bomb attack went to Jamia Mosque on Commercial Road in Newport.
Ali Hussain, 20, who goes to that mosque, said: “With regards to these people who are in the spotlight for these things, they are often seen as what we are and what Muslims are.
“But the truth of the matter is that even according to us we see these people as not true Muslims.
“The creed that has been passed down to us, it’s not about violence or hatred.
“The essence of this religion is mercy, compassion and justice.”
The latest raids were carried out by the Met Counter Terrorism Command, assisted by Gwent Police and the Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU).
Mr Haydon said: “This continues to be a fast-moving investigation. A significant amount of activity has taken place since the attack on Friday.
“We now have five men in custody and searches are continuing at four addresses. Detectives are carrying out extensive inquiries to determine the full facts behind the attack.
“We anticipate that the searches will take some days to complete and may cause further disruption.
“However, it is important that we continue with these searches and I’d like to thank all those affected for their support, patience and cooperation.”
Deputy Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Pam Kelly, said: “Following the three arrests made in Newport relating to the Metropolitan Police’s ongoing investigation of the Parsons Green terrorist attack, I would like to thank the community for their patience and support whilst the investigation continues.
“We understand the concern members of the public may feel when activity of this nature occurs in their locality. I would, however like to reassure the public that Gwent Police stands together with partners across Wales and the UK to confront any threat to our communities.
“We ask members of the public to be alert, but not alarmed, and to report any suspicious activity by calling us, in confidence, on 0800 789 321, or in an emergency by dialling 999.”