Terrorist arrests around Greater Manchester ‘part of Europe-wide investigation into Islamic extremism’

The arrests of three men on suspicion of terrorism in raids around Greater Manchester were part of a Europe-wide investigation into Islamic extremism, sources told Manchester Evening News. A source told MEN that the arrests were “very significant”.

As investigators had more time this evening to interview the three men, aged 35, 36 and 51, on suspicion of committing, preparing and inciting acts of terrorism, a spokesman for the Greater Manchester said they would not speculate on our information.

An investigation is continuing following raids on addresses in Wigan and Bolton on Wednesday night. A source told us the arrests were “very significant” and related to a Europe-wide investigation into Islamic extremism. A second source confirmed that the arrests were significant and targeted Islamic extremism. GMP declined to explain the nature of the investigation.

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In an update posted on GMP social media channels this evening, the force said North West counter-terrorism officers had obtained a further detention warrant for the three men in custody.

“This allows officers to keep the men in custody for a further five days,” the statement said.

At the time of the arrests, Deputy Chief Constable Rob Potts, who has responsibility for counter-terrorism policing in the North West, said: “This evening we executed a number of planned warrants as part of an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation.

“Three men have been taken into custody for questioning and the scenes remain in place while we carry out further enquiries. Today’s activity was the culmination of a lot of detailed planning and we have put measures in place to minimize disruption to local residents as much as possible.

“I understand that any time an arrest of this nature is made, it will cause concern and people will naturally have questions. While we cannot go into specific details of the investigation at this stage, I want to reassure the public that we do not currently believe there is a wider threat related to today’s activity.

Residents at one of the addresses searched by police, on Crankwood Road in Abram, Wigan, described their shock at Wednesday night’s events.

A house on the usually “quiet” street became the focus of the huge investigation. It came as numerous scenes were combed by police as part of the wider operation. Video footage captured the moment a suspect was arrested and dragged out of a crowded courtroom by police.

Speaking outside his home on Crankwood Road, David Evans – who recently stood in local elections – said: “You can only placate residents so much. It is worrying that terrorist offenses are suspected. It is the fact that it is not known”.

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, added: “I’m a bit worried. Nobody’s ever heard of Crankwood. It’s so quiet and that’s why I like it, because you feel safe.”

Describing the moment police descended on the street, David added: “I saw the tactical support unit arrive, a riot van – and it was constant with CID. It was about half past seven.”

He said that just before 10 p.m., a man with his hood up was driven away. People watching were told to move on. A man, aged 37, said “I came home last night and there were two TAU vans, CID, the box was closed.

“There were four to six officers sitting outside. It’s not common for a place like this. We’re a tight-knit community. It gives you some peace of mind in policing. At the end of the day, if they’re plotting, they’ve got it.”

A mother who moved the road five years ago said: “It’s horrible. Normally I feel protected here because it’s so hidden. I don’t feel safe. There are a lot of kids on this street.”

Another neighbour, who said they have lived on the streets for 29 years, added: “I can’t believe it, I’m not happy at all. It’s shocking.” While a 50-year-old resident, who has lived on Crankwood Road for 28 years, said she was “stunned”.

Neighbors said those who lived at the property “kept to themselves, although some said they heard arguments inside the house. Another neighbor said: “I feel bad. I’m glad my grandkids aren’t here today because they would have been upset. My daughter took my wife out because it’s a bit of a shock. You never know who’s going to turn up. .”

Raids were also carried out in Bolton, Great Lever and Hindley on Wednesday night. A scene remained in place at a house on Fairclough Street in Hindley on Thursday.

One man, who spoke to the MEN about the raids, said: “In the year I’ve been here, I’ve never seen the police. It is worrying. I have two children and I have them on weekends. No you don’t like bringing them here.”

“We have a baby girl,” said another man. “There are a lot of kids on the street, so I can imagine a few families are worried.”

And another neighbor added: “I saw the police here last night when I was putting my little boy to bed. Nobody knew what was going on. It’s a pretty scary thing when you don’t know what’s going on with your neighbors.

“You don’t see stuff like this every day. It’s a shock.”