Dozen arrested by counter terror police over suspected threat to Islamic event

Twelve people have been arrested over an alleged "extreme right-wing terrorism" threat to an Islamic event in Suffolk.

The arrests, including three on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, follow an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London in connection to the event at Shrubland Hall at the weekend.

Organisers of the UK Ijtima event, which ran from 9 to 13 July, were advised to close slightly earlier than planned as a precaution due to the "potential serious threat" and the 15,000 attendees left safely, police said.

The suspects arrested included a 27-year-old man in Ipswich, a 35-year-old man in Greater Manchester, two 42-year-old men in Essex and five men in Surrey, aged 27, 29, 55, 60 and 82, on Sunday,

In addition, a 33-year-old man in southeast London and a 31-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman in east London were arrested on Monday.

Three of the men, the 82-year-old, the 55-year-old and the 60-year-old, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. The 82-year-old man has since been released on bail.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Eight of the men were arrested and detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and remain in police custody.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP 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.

She added: "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.

"Sadly, this activity is a stark reminder that the threat level in the UK is at 'severe', so we urge the public to remain vigilant and report anything if it doesn't look or feel right."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the response of the police in tackling a "credible threat" to the UK Ijtima festival had "undoubtedly saved lives".

"I know this is deeply concerning news for British Muslims," she added.

"We must stand against hatred and we must unite around our shared belief in a country that is open, generous and tolerant to all our communities."

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Police are carrying out several searches across the country linked to the arrests.

Assistant Chief Constable Alice Scott from Suffolk Constabulary, which is supporting the operation, said: "We understand that the arrests and the context behind them may well cause some concern amongst our local communities.

She added: "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 15,000 attendees. The major incident status was withdrawn earlier today.

"This was a complex and fast-moving scenario with the priority of all the agencies working together to ensure the safety of all the attendees."

Suffolk Police said there would be extra officers patrolling at Shrubland Hall and the surrounding areas to reassure the community.

(c) Sky News 2026: Dozen arrested by counter terror police over suspected threat to Islamic event