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SEALED OFF: Police on Upper Brook Street
SEALED OFF: Police on Upper Brook Street

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Ten held in bomb plot terror swoop

Andrew Nott
19/ 4/2004

A TERROR plot to bomb a target in Greater Manchester was uncovered today.

Ten people - all with apparent links to extreme Islamic groups - were arrested in co-ordinated raids early this morning.

Special branch officers confirmed they had arrested nine men and one woman. Seven addresses were targeted and seven people arrested in Greater Manchester.

Three further people were arrested in the West Midlands, Staffordshire, and South Yorkshire.

Those being questioned today are Iraqis, Kurds and north Africans.

Police said they would neither confirm not deny rumours about possible targets.

A total of 400 officers from the four forces were used in the co-ordinated swoops.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police, which oversaw the operation said: "All those arrested are being held on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism."

It is the climax of a lengthy surveillance operation involving Special Branch and the security services, during which a number of messages have been intercepted.

Top secret

Scores of officers from across the Greater Manchester force were drafted in to assist in the raids - but the identity and details of the suspects remain top secret, even to those involved in the operation.

Those arrested, believed to be a mix of nationalities, were taken to separate police stations across the area for questioning. It was unclear whether any explosives or weapons had been recovered.

As police guarded a takeaway shop and flat this morning, a spokesman confirmed: "A number of search warrants, issued under the Terrorism Act 2000, were today executed by GMP."

An officer in protective clothing was later seen taking a large, black plastic bag from the building.

But police refused to issue further details, for fear of jeopardising the on-going operation.

Officers refused to discuss the possible target of the plot, but there has been speculation that it was a high-profile venue where many people gather.

Shopping centres and sports grounds are seen as a possible focus for an attack.

The raids follow revelations in the Manchester Evening News a week ago that GMP had raised its alert level as suspicions rose that the north west was a definite target.

More than 50 officers were moved from their regular duties to work within a task force committed specifically to combating terror threats to the region.

One of the raids today involved a swoop on a flat above a kebab shop in Upper Brook Street.

Inquiries

Police moved in quickly and sealed the road, but opened it again within a short period.

Officers kept the immediate area secure while a detailed search of the premises was carried out.

The operation was due to continue throughout the day and it is understood GMP inquiries have alerted them to suspects in other parts of the country. Details have been passed on to the appropriate forces.

It is understood this is one of a number of secret operations launched over several months by GMP in a bid to stay one step ahead of extremist groups.

These have included detailed surveys of land around the airport to identify sites that could be used to launch missiles against a civilian aircraft, and an increase in armed patrols.

The trigger for the latest heightened alert was the carnage of the Madrid bombings, after which Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, declared: "We are now in a state of real danger. A terrorist attack on Britain is inevitable."

Manchester's Chief Constable, Michael Todd, said last week: "The threat is high, but people should be reassured that we are taking all possible steps to deal with it."


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(36)


Most recent 2 of 36 user comments

   It seems like we still have not learnt the lesson of depending on intelligence!! 400 police officer to arrest 10 big scary terrorist and released without charge. Is it some sort of show business act by the police or the government to terrorise people of believing in the draconian terror law? If I would have done this type of mock-up wasting tax payer money I would have been sacked or questioned who will question the police or may be they are above the law.
sb, mcr
29/04/2004 at 12:48

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   Originally from Manchester and a frwequent visitor to OT. If this was a target then the terrorist is nothing more than a cold bloodied murderer and is not doing anything connected to any religion although they may believe they are and that they may go to a better place later in life because of it. They are fanatics that have been brain washed into believeing what they are doing is for a better cause. I was once told football was war without weapons, this caould be said of religion. Take a look at history and all the big wars throughout the years have had a religious angle. WELL DONE TO THE GMP AND THE BRITISH ESTABLISHMENT.
GP, Perth, Western Australia ex of Denton, Manchester
24/04/2004 at 01:54

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