Arrests ‘part of European terror probe’
THE arrests of three men on suspicion of terrorism in raids around Greater Mancheter were part of a Europe-wide investigation into Islamic extremism, sources have told the M.E.N.
One source said the arrests were ‘very significant.’
As investigators were last night given further time to interview the three men, aged 35, 36 and 51, on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism, a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said they would not speculate on our information.
An investigation is continuing following raids at addresses in Wigan and Bolton on Wednesday evening.
One source told us the arrests were ‘very significant’ and concerned a Europe-wide investigation into Islamic extremism. A second source confirmed the arrests were significant and concerned Islamic extremism. GMP has declined to explain the nature of the investigation.
In an update posted on GMP’s social media channels last night, the force said North West counter-terror cops have been granted a warrant of further detention for the three men in custody.
“This allows officers to keep the men in custody for a further five days,” said the statement.
At the time of the arrests, Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds responsibility for counter terrorism policing in the North West, said: “This evening we have executed a number of planned warrants as part of an ongoing counter terrorism investigation.
“Three men have been taken into custody for questioning and scenes remain in place as we conduct further enquiries. Today’s activity has been the culmination of much detailed planning and we have put measures in place to minimise disruption to local residents as much as possible.
“I understand that any time arrests of this nature are made it will cause concerns and people will naturally have questions. Although we can’t go into specific details of the investigation at this stage, I want to reassure members of the public that we do not currently believe there to be any wider threat linked to today’s activity.”
Residents at one of the addresses police searched, on Crankwood Road in Abram, Wigan, described their shock at developments on Wednesday night.
A house on the usually ‘quiet’ street became the focus of the huge investigation. It came as numerous scenes were combed by cops as part of the wider operation. Video footage captured the moment a suspect was arrested and dragged out of a busy gym by police.