Eight Men Arrested in Two Separate UK Counter-Terrorism Operation

Eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, have been arrested in the United Kingdom following two unconnected counter-terrorism investigations carried out by the Metropolitan Police. The arrests took place on Saturday across various parts of England and are part of pre-planned operations designed to address national security threats.

In the first operation, five men were detained at separate locations including Swindon, west London, Stockport, Rochdale, and Manchester. This investigation, led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, was focused on a suspected plot to target a specific premises. The police have not named the location involved but stated that the affected site has been notified and is receiving appropriate support.

Four of the five individuals arrested in this operation are Iranian nationals, aged 29, 29, 40, and 46. The nationality and age of the fifth suspect are still being determined. According to the police, four of the men were detained under the Terrorism Act, while the fifth was arrested under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). All five are being held on suspicion of preparation of an act of terrorism and remain in police custody.

Commander Dominic Murphy, who heads the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, stated that the investigation remains in its early stages. “We are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation, as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter,” he said. “We understand the public may be concerned and, as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and contact us if they see or hear anything that causes them concern.”The operation has involved cooperation between several law enforcement bodies, including Greater Manchester Police, Wiltshire Police, and other regional counter-terrorism units.

Five men were taken into custody at different locations, including Swindon and west London.

In a separate, unrelated investigation, three more men—aged 39, 44, and 55—were arrested in London. All three are Iranian nationals and were detained under the National Security Act at separate addresses in north-west and west London. Searches at those addresses were ongoing as of the latest update, and the men remain in custody.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the two operations are not connected, although both are being led by the Counter Terrorism Command, which has responsibility for investigating terrorism, espionage, and other threats to national security.

The arrests have prompted statements from senior government officials, including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who expressed her gratitude to the police and intelligence services. “These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats,” she said. “I want to thank the police and security services for the action they have taken to keep our country safe.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting also commented on the developments during an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. He thanked the police and security services for their continued work in protecting the public, stating that “every single day these people are saving lives.” However, he declined to provide further details, emphasizing that it would be inappropriate to comment on an active investigation.

The Metropolitan Police emphasized that public cooperation remains crucial to national security efforts. Authorities encourage anyone who sees suspicious activity or has concerns about potential threats to contact police immediately.

At this stage, no charges have been brought in either of the two ongoing investigations. Authorities have confirmed that both cases remain active, with officers continuing to follow multiple lines of enquiry. Further updates are expected as police gather more evidence and assess any potential risks, while emphasizing the importance of public vigilance during this period.