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Twelve people have been arrested, including three on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, over a suspected far-right threat against an Islamic event held this weekend, police have said.
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation which they said was related to “extreme rightwing terrorism” targeting an event held at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk.
Police said there was a “potential serious threat” to the event, which an estimated ۱۵,۰۰۰ people attended over four days.
Three of those arrested were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, with eight others arrested under terrorism laws. One man arrested is a pensioner aged ۸۲. A woman aged ۴۸ was arrested in east London on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Police said the ۸۲-year-old had since been bailed, with the others remaining in custody.
The Guardian understands the intelligence that led to the arrests emerged over the weekend. Arrests were made with the event already under way, which sources suggested indicated how late the intervention came. The event closed earlier than planned as a precaution and a major incident was declared.
Officers are searching a series of addresses across Britain as the investigation continues.
Police added: “Due to the concerns over the possible threat, and as a precaution, advice was provided via Suffolk police to the organisers of the UK Ijtima event to close the event slightly earlier than planned on Sunday ۱۲ July. There is not believed be any wider threat to the public connected to this matter.”
Counter-terrorism officers made arrests on Sunday and Monday in Greater Manchester, London, Essex, Ipswich, and Surrey.
The Ipswich Star reported that event organisers said the gathering was the subject of misinformation on social media. Roads were closed with organisers saying police told them of fears people were planning to travel to the event potentially to disrupt it.
Commander Helen Flanagan, the head of counter-terrorism policing London, said: “After becoming aware of a potential serious threat towards the Islamic event in Suffolk, we have moved extremely quickly to make a number of arrests in various locations across the country.
“I would like to thank colleagues in Suffolk police for their ongoing support, which led to the declaration of a major incident on Sunday in response to this. I’d also like to thank the event organisers and the public who have been impacted by this.
“I know this news may be concerning to the public and particularly those in the Muslim community, given that we believe the intended target was an Islamic event. But as we have shown, we will not hesitate to act if there is any potential threat, no matter who or what the potential target may be.”
Assistant chief constable Alice Scott from Suffolk constabulary said: “To provide some level of reassurance we will have a visible police presence in the area of Shrubland Hall over the coming days.
“The situation was declared a major incident early on Sunday morning with a multi-agency response convened to ensure a safe and properly co-ordinated departure from the event of the ۱۵,۰۰۰ attendees.”
