Yvette Cooper says raids, in London, Swindon and Greater Manchester, carried out as part of response to ‘national security threats’
Eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, have been arrested by police in two separate counter-terrorism operations across England.
Five of the suspects were detained in raids on Saturday as part of an alleged plot to target “a specific premises,” the Metropolitan police said.
The force did not reveal the site but said it had been identified with the advice and support from counter-terror officers.
Footage verified by the Guardian shows armed officers wearing military fatigues storming a terraced property in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
Marksmen carrying semi-automatic rifles and wearing helmets and body armour can be seen in the footage removing a partially clothed man from the building in handcuffs before ordering him to the ground.
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the arrests were sparked by “serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats”.
Scotland Yard said the five men, including four Iranians, were being questioned under section 5 of the Terrorism Act on suspicion of planning an attack.
Three of those arrested were held in the Manchester area, with another arrested in west London and a fifth in Swindon.
Commander Dominic Murphy, the head of the Met’s counter-terrorism command, said: “This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated.
“The investigation is still in its early stages, and we are exploring various lines of inquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter.
“We understand the public may be concerned and, as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us.”
Murphy added: “We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we have made arrests today and I’d like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support.”
Three other Iranian men were detained in a separate counter-terrorism operation in London on Saturday.
The Metropolitan police said two of the men, aged 39 and 44, were arrested at separate addresses in north-west London and one man, aged 55, was arrested at an address in west London.
It added: “This investigation is not connected to the arrest of five people yesterday as part of a separate Met counter-terrorism operation. Enquiries remain ongoing.”
Cooper praised Britain’s police and security forces: “I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they have taken to keep our country safe.
“Protecting national security is the first duty of government and our police and security services have our strong support in their vital work.
“These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats.
“The government continues to work with police and intelligence agencies to support all the action and security assessments that are needed to keep the country safe.”
