Two people were arrested under the Terrorism Act earlier today during a series of raids in Bolton. Greater Manchester police said around 250 officers were involved in the operation overall, with around 50 officers directly taking part in the arrests of the two, who are believed to be men. The suspects are believed to have gathered information that could be useful to terrorists. Police said the operation was not linked to other anti-terror investigations around the country.
A total of seven addresses in the Tonge Moor and Great Lever areas of Bolton were raided this morning, including the homes of the men, which police entered at around 6.30am. Officers from the force's anti-terror unit were involved in the operation. None of the officers involved in the arrests and searches were armed, police said.
Greater Manchester police's acting assistant chief constable, David Jones, said: "Today's operation was to target individuals suspected of possession of information which could be used in the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism," the Manchester Evening News reported. Mr Jones went on: "This action was taken after careful consideration of a possible threat against national security." Police said officers had liaised with members of the local community to minimise the operation's impact on local people. |