Police swoop on neo-nazis includes alleged training base for ‘race war’

Up to 11 suspected leading members of a banned neo-nazi group were arrested in a series of counterterrorism dawn raids yesterday.

Some of the arrests were linked to a converted warehouse in Warrington, Cheshire, said to serve as a head office and gym for National Action.

The campaign group Hope not Hate said neo-nazis were trained at the building to prepare for a “race war” by learning hand-to-hand combat.

Meanwhile, a bomb disposal unit was sent to an address in Leeds and another in Wales as a “precautionary measure”. Eleven properties were being searched last night.

Six of the arrested men are from the North-west, including one man who was questioned in prison. Two others are from South Wales, two from West Yorkshire and one from Wiltshire. Their ages range from 22 to 35.

The six detained in the North-west, including the serving prisoner, were arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.

All 11 are suspected of membership of a proscribed organisation.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “These arrests relate to threats against individuals and not threats against communities.”