Metropolitan police have arrested eight people for the preparation of an alleged terrorist act.
According to Sky News, the counter-terror officers on Saturday, May 3, 2025, arrested five men in one investigation and then three others in another in a "suspected plot to target a specific premises."
All of the suspects, including Iranian nationals, are in police custody.
The Met, in an update after midnight, said, “Officers have been in contact with the affected site to make them aware and provide relevant advice and support, but for operational reasons, we are not able to provide further information at this time."
The force further added that they were carrying out searches on multiple addresses in the Greater Manchester, London and Swindon areas in connection with the investigation.
The first five men, including four Iranian nationals, detained were:
• A 29-year-old man arrested in the Swindon area
• A 46-year-old man arrested in west London
• A 29-year-old man arrested in the Stockport area
• A 40-year-old man arrested in the Rochdale area
• A man whose age was not confirmed arrested in the Manchester area.
Another three Iranian nationals were arrested in London in an unrelated counter-terror investigation under Section 27 of the National Security Act 2023.
The act allows police to arrest those suspected of being "involved in foreign power threat activity."
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hails police for the arrests
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated, “I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they have taken to keep our country safe. Protecting national security is the first duty of government.”
“Our police and security services have our strong support in their vital work. These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats," she added.
Notably, the Met's counter-terrorism command is leading the investigation related to a suspected plot with the support of officers from Greater Manchester Police and Wiltshire Police, as well as counter-terrorism officers from across the country.
