Twelve people have been arrested in connection with an alleged extreme right-wing terrorism plot targeting a major Islamic gathering in Suffolk, prompting counter-terrorism police to declare a major incident and bring the event to an early close.
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with an alleged extreme right-wing terrorism plot targeting a major Islamic gathering in Suffolk, prompting counter-terrorism police to declare a major incident and bring the event to an early close.
The investigation was launched after Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) identified what it described as a potentially serious threat to the UK Ijtima event held at Shrubland Hall in Barham between July 9 and 13. Organisers were advised to end the gathering earlier than planned as a precaution.
Police said all 15,000 attendees were able to leave the site safely and there is no wider threat to the public linked to the investigation.
The arrests took place at multiple locations across the country as officers moved swiftly to disrupt the alleged plot.
Eight men were arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and remain in custody. Three other men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, while a 48-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
One of the suspects, an 82-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, has since been released on bail.
Those detained include five men in Surrey aged 27, 29, 55, 60 and 82, a 35-year-old man in Greater Manchester, two 42-year-old men in Essex, a 33-year-old man in southeast London, a 31-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman in east London along with a 27-year-old man in Ipswich.
Police are continuing searches at several addresses linked to the suspects.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said investigators acted rapidly once the threat was identified.
“After becoming aware of a potential serious threat towards the Islamic event in Suffolk, we have moved extremely quickly to make some arrests in various locations across the country,” she said.
Flanagan acknowledged that the news would be particularly concerning for Britain's Muslim community because the intended target was an Islamic event.
“We will not hesitate to act if there is any potential threat, no matter who or what the potential target may be,” she added.
She also reminded the public that the UK's terrorism threat level remains at "severe", meaning an attack is considered highly likely.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the police operation as having potentially saved lives.
“The response of the police to this credible threat has undoubtedly saved lives,” she said.
Mahmood added that the alleged plot would be deeply troubling for British Muslims.
“We must stand against hatred and we must unite around our shared belief in a country that is open, generous and tolerant to all our communities,” she said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also praised the actions of the police and event organisers.
“Thanks to the quick action taken by police and the organisers, nobody was hurt,” he said in a post on X.
“My message is clear: I will not tolerate any attacks on our Muslim communities, or any form of anti-Muslim hatred.”
Suffolk Police said officers would maintain a visible presence around Shrubland Hall in the coming days as investigations continue.
Among those attending the gathering was Labour councillor Ruman Muhith, who said participants had conducted themselves “with dignity and respect” throughout the event.
The UK Ijtima draws thousands of Muslims from across Britain and abroad each year. While the event ended early as a precaution, police stressed that attendees left safely and that investigations into the alleged plot remain ongoing.
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