Eight people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act in Birmingham after a "significant" operation involving police and security service MI5. A number of addresses in the city have been sealed off after morning raids. The raids took place at 0400 GMT on Wednesday morning.Security sources have told the BBC the alleged plot would not have involved mass casualties but marked "a different approach to terrorism in the UK".
Wonder what that means - Assasinations?
The six-month operation involved the Midlands counter terrorism unit, West Midlands Police and the Met Police. At least four addresses in Birmingham were targeted as part of the 0400 GMT raids. Two residential houses and a general store in the Alum Rock area were raided as well as a book store in the Sparkhill area.
Police have cordoned off roads around Jackson Road and Foxton Road, in Alum Rock, and Poplar Road and Stratford Road, in Sparkhill. The raided houses are now being searched by officers. Police have not confirmed any of the raided addresses.
The eight are suspected of "the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".
The Home Office said Home Secretary John Reid had been fully briefed. "This operation is a reminder of the real and serious nature of the terrorist threat we face," a spokeswoman said.
In a statement, West Midlands Police asked for the "continued support and co-operation of the public". "Our message to people living in the West Midlands is to remain vigilant," the statement added.
| AoS News Update, 10:30 CST: More from Pajamas Media here, and from WaPo here, where the count is now nine. |