London Police Arrest 6 on Suspicion of Terrorism

Police officers stand outside a home in the Stratford section of London that was raided by counter-terrorism police in the early hours of Thursday, July 5, 2012. (Nick Edwards/National News/Zuma Press)

 

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Authorities in London arrested six possible terrorists -- tasering one in the process -- as part of a months-long international terror probe.

The investigation that prompted Thursday's arrests by armed police has so far revealed no known connection to the Olympic Games set to begin in less than a month, although several arrests occurred near the main Olympic venue in London, according to a police statement and intelligence sources.

As the searches were occurring Thursday, police near Birmingham stopped a budget intercity bus after a passenger spotted a man pouring something into his bag, and then saw smoke pouring out.

In that incident, on the M6 Motorway, armed police escorted passengers off the bus in what was described as a "counter-terror response."

Nick Edwards/National News/Zuma Press

Police officers stand outside a home in the... View Full Size

Nick Edwards/National News/Zuma Press

Police officers stand outside a home in the Stratford section of London that was raided by counter-terrorism police in the early hours of Thursday, July 5, 2012.

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As armed police officers and bomb sniffing dogs continued their investigation, passengers remained seated on the motorway, which was closed in both directions. At least 12 fire trucks were on scene supporting the police operation. The fire department appeared to have erected inflatable 'HaZmat' tents.

The incident was completely separate from the arrests, authorities firmly stated.

In the terror probe investigation five men and one woman, aged 21-29, were arrested in several locations across London by officers from Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command.

The arrests were the "executive action" phase of a long running investigation led by the British intelligence service MI-5.

The men and woman were all arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000, police said.

The suspects were taken to a south east London police station where they remain in custody.

Authorities would not disclose further details of the case that might compromise their strategy for interviewing the suspects.

What was seized in the searches was as yet unknown.

Police said that the arrests in London are related to a possible plot involving Islamist extremists and potential targets here in the United Kingdom.

The incident and arrests occurred just days after two Muslim converts were being held on suspicion of plotting an attack on the London Olympic canoeing venue.