|
Terror suspects held in Hampshire
Four terror suspects are being questioned by police in Hampshire after they were arrested in morning raids. The four men were arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 in Kenilworth Road, Polygon, central Southampton at 0745 BST. No armed police were used. The men, aged between 26 and 34, are currently being held at separate police stations in Hampshire. Next door neighbour Dan Romani, 20, described the four men as "the quietest neighbours you could have". | That's what they always say. |
Mr Romani, a graphic design student, said he came out of his house at 0800 BST to see police in riot gear in the street. He told BBC News Online: "There were a number of police in full riot gear, including one with a baton for breaking down a door. "It must have been a very smooth process as I didn't hear anything and it didn't even wake my girlfriend up. "I moved in a month ago and they keep themselves to themselves. They are the quietest neighbours you could have. I have heard them talking in a foreign language in the hallway, but never in English." | I'd wager their names aren't Nigel and Bruce. |
Mr Romani said a mat was always kept across the back window of the top floor flat, preventing people from seeing inside. | Change the word "quiet" to "secretive" |
Patricia Othen, who lives across the road, said: "I saw about six plain-clothed policeman in the pathway ready to go into number four and shortly afterwards the whole street was bombarded with police cars, big vans and lots of armed police. "Shortly afterwards four Asian guys dressed in t-shirts were brought out and taken away." | "Asian" means anyone from east of the Med in Kipling speak. I'll take a wild guess and say Pakistani. |
"I know the police have been looking at the house for some time because they asked if they could use my house for surveillance." "Brilliant, Holmes Patricia, how do you do it?" |
The scene of the raid is a Victorian terrace in the heart of Southampton's student bedsit area. | Student housing area, lot's of cheap flats, people come and go, good place to blend in. |
Police have so far said they are not able to confirm the nationality of the four men. | "We can say no more at this time." |
There have been some 600 arrests in the UK under anti-terrorism laws since the September 11 attacks. Of these, about 100 have been charged and a dozen convicted.
Posted by: Steve 2004-09-07 |
