East London man held under Terrorism Act

10:28 am News Editor

A 19-year-old man from east London has been arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Detectives from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command took him into custody on Thursday, 29 March.

He’s being held in an east London police station.

A custody extension was sought and granted by Westminster Magistrates’ Court later on Thursday, 29 March.

Tags: east London </s> A 19-year-old man has been arrested in east London on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, the Met Police have said.

He was detained at around 3am on Thursday morning under the Terrorism Act and taken into custody at an east London police station.

Anti-terror officers were granted more time to question the man by a judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later on Thursday.

The individual, who has not yet been named, was arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. </s> The suspect was held on suspicion of encouraging terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications after flying into the UK from Morocco, police said.

Scotland Yard said he was arrested shortly after 11am on Saturday and is in custody at a police station in south London.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “On Saturday April 7, detectives from the Met’s counter-terrorism command arrested a 55-year-old man on suspicion of encouragement of terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.” </s> The suspect was held on suspicion of encouraging terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications after flying into the UK from Morocco, police said.

Scotland Yard said he was arrested shortly after 11am on Saturday and is in custody at a police station in south London.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "On Saturday April 7, detectives from the Met's counter-terrorism command arrested a 55-year-old man on suspicion of encouragement of terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006." </s> The suspect was held on suspicion of encouraging terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications after flying into the UK from Morocco, police said.

London's Scotland Yard police headquarters said he was arrested on Saturday morning and is in custody at a police station in south London.

London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "On Saturday April 7, detectives from the Met's counter-terrorism command arrested a 55-year-old man on suspicion of encouragement of terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006." </s> A man has been arrested by armed police near the houses of parliament on suspicion of acts of terrorism, and knives have been recovered from him.

No injuries have been reported and police said the incident was no longer ongoing. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he had been briefed by the Met commissioner Cressida Dick on the arrest.

Pictures from the scene showed forensic officers examining knives on the pavement near where the arrest took place.



An eyewitness told BuzzFeed News he saw knives spill out of a backpack when the arrest was made.

Police said a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, and on suspicion of the commission, preparation, and instigation of acts of terrorism.



The Metropolitan police said he was arrested at 2:22pm following a stop and search as part of an ongoing investigation.



“He is being detained under the Terrorism Act and is in custody in a south London police station,” the statement said.



“Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command are continuing their investigation, and as a result of this arrest there is no immediate known threat.”

A man has been arrested in Whitehall this afternoon, at approximately 14:22, following a stop and search as part of an ongoing operation. The 27-year-old man was arrested in Parliament Street, junction with Parliament Square, by armed officers from the Met’s Specialist Firearms Command. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism. Knives have been recovered from him. He is being detained under the Terrorism Act and is in custody in a south London police station. Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command are continuing their investigation, and as a result of this arrest there is no immediate known threat.

An area around Whitehall near the Treasury building was closed following the arrest, and armed police were seen in the streets.



A witness told BuzzFeed News he had seen a man being held against the wall by armed officers.



“On the floor was a backpack with knives falling out of it,” said Luke William, 28, from Southampton, who was driving through Westminster at the time. “Lots of police, lots of traffic, as you can imagine.”

The arrest came on the day that prorogation takes place in parliament, marking the end of the parliamentary session. Most MPs were not in the Commons today, but many members of the House of Lords were present.

Security has been increased in Westminster following last month’s deadly attack in which Khalid Masood killed four people before being shot dead by armed police. </s> Counter-terror police have arrested a man who flew into the UK at Gatwick Airport today.

The suspect flew into the UK from Morocco and was held on suspicion of encouraging terrorism and the dissemination of terrorist publications.

Scotland Yard said he was arrested shortly after 11am on Saturday and is in custody at a police station in south London.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: 'On Saturday April 7, detectives from the Met's counter-terrorism command arrested a 55-year-old man on suspicion of encouragement of terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.' </s> "On Saturday, 7 April, Detectives from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command arrested a 55-year-old man on suspicion of encouragement of terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006," Met Police said in a statement.

The man was arrested at 11.02 GMT at Gatwick Airport when he arrived at the United Kingdom from Morocco, it noted.

The suspect is held in custody at a south London police station, the statement continued.

READ MORE: UK Police Arrest Woman at Heathrow Airport on Suspicion of Terror Activity

The United Kingdom has faced a number of terror attacks in 2017, most prominently three attacks in London, which took place in Westminster, on London Bridge, and outside the Parsons Green Tube station, and a bombardment at a concert in Manchester on May 22, the latter of which took the lives of over 20 people and left several hundreds wounded. </s> Armed officers have arrested a man in connection with preparing a terror attack just yards from Downing Street.

Police say the 27-year-old was carrying a rucksack containing several knives, which are being examined by forensic officers.

Image: A man is led away by police after the arrest in Whitehall

The suspect was known to police prior to his arrest, according to Sky sources.

Roads were locked down as officers carried out the arrest - pushing the man to the ground before holding him at the scene.

No one was injured in the incident, and Whitehall has since reopened northbound.

Advertisement

Image: The Prime Minister was not at Downing Street at the time of the incident

The Metropolitan Police said the man was stopped at 2.22pm on Thursday as part of an ongoing operation. He has been taken to a south London police station where he is being held under the Terrorism Act.

The arrest took place at the Parliament Street junction with Parliament Square, close to the scene of last month's terror attack which killed five people, including police officer Keith Palmer, on 22 March.

Image: A forensic investigator recovers a knife from the scene

Theresa May was not at Number 10 at the time of the incident.

Speaking from a General Election campaign event in Derbyshire, the Prime Minister said: "I'm aware that a man has been arrested in Whitehall today and that individual has been arrested on the basis of a terrorism charge.

"I think it shows that our police and intelligence and security services are on alert as they always are - looking to keep us safe and secure. I would say we owe a huge debt of gratitude to these people."

Forensics officers on scene of terror incident

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: "Thanks to all officers who dealt swiftly & professionally with the incident in Whitehall. The Met Commissioner has briefed me on the arrest."

A Met police statement said: "The man, aged in his late twenties, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism. Knives have been recovered from him.

"Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command are continuing their investigation, and as a result of this arrest there is no immediate known threat."

Image: The moment the suspect was arrested

A builder working on the road nearby said: "I saw the police officers catch him. They caught him and got him on the ground."

Asked if the suspect was waving knives, acting aggressively or shouting, the witness said: "No."

Another witness said the suspect was "very calm" as he was arrested, and did not struggle as he was held on the ground.
Police in London announce the arrest on March 29 of a 19-year-old man suspected of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.