Unarmed police arrest 12 terror suspects in nationwide raids

Unarmed officers from four forces swooped on homes in London, Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham and Cardiff at 5am.

The raids came after months of surveillance and monitoring by the police and MI5 officers.

Yesterday afternoon, standing outside New Scotland Yard, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates said it was "absolutely vital" that the public remained vigilant.

Mr Yates said: "Earlier today, police arrested 12 men in a pre-planned, intelligence-led national counter-terrorism operation.

"The men, from the London, Stoke and Cardiff areas, are aged between 17 and 28.

"They were all arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of the commission, cooperation and instigation of acts of terrorism.

"They are currently in custody at three separate police stations across the country where they will be interviewed over the coming days. We are also searching a large number of premises and I expect that these searches will take some time to complete.

"The operation is in its early stages so I am unable to go into any detail at this time as I do not wish to say anything that may prejudice any future legal proceedings.

"However, what I would say is that with the current threat level in the UK at severe and with the information we have, I believe today's arrests were absolutely necessary in order to keep the public safe.

Mr Yates added: that the operation had used significant resources from the country's counter terrorism network.

"As both I and other law enforcement colleagues have said on many previous occasions, the threats from terrorism to the UK remain real and serious. The threat level remains at severe, which means that an attack is highly likely.

"It is absolutely vital that we all remain vigilant and I cannot stress enough that if anyone is suspicious about any activity or behaviour that seems out of the ordinary and gives them cause for concern then I would urge them to call the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789321."

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I have been kept fully informed about the police operation that has resulted in 12 arrests.

"For obvious reasons it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this early stage of what could be a complex and lengthy investigation.

"We know we face a real and serious threat from terrorism and I would like to thank the police and security service for working to keep our country safe."

Residents in Rialto Place, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, said police raided the home of man aged in his mid-20s at about 4.45am.

One neighbour, who asked not to be identified, told how he feared he was being burgled when police smashed their way into the 1970s terrace.

The woman, aged in her 60s, recalled: "I could hear people's voices, male voices, and then a crashing noise.

"I thought somebody was breaking in."

Local people said an Asian family had lived in the three-bedroom house but had moved out around three months ago.

A man of Asian appearance then moved into the property, where he was said to be visited regularly by other men during the early hours.

A woman living nearby said the man wore Islamic-style robes and was often seen outside the house talking on a mobile phone.

"He had visitors a lot at night but he never spoke to anyone to say hello," the woman claimed.

In a letter delivered to local residents, Chief Superintendent Bernie O'Reilly, of Staffordshire Police, said: "The arrests have come as part of a large-scale investigation into suspected terrorist activity.

"Public safety has been our overwhelming priority. That is why we moved quickly to take action this morning and why significant numbers of officers have been involved."