1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
IranIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

Terrorism arrests

December 20, 2010

British police have arrested 12 men suspected of preparing a terrorist attack. Officers raided homes in four cities early on Monday.

https://p.dw.com/p/QgLI
British police stand watching news of the London bombings in July 2005
The terror threat level in Britain is currently "severe"Image: AP

Twelve men have been arrested in Britain on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack.

Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Monday in London, Birmingham, nearby Stoke-on-Trent and Cardiff.

"This is a large-scale, pre-planned and intelligence-led operation involving several forces," said Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates, the national head of counter-terrorism policing. "I believe it was necessary at this time to take action in order to ensure public safety."

The suspects were aged between 17 and 28. Five were from Cardiff, four from Stoke-on-Trent, and three from London.

The men were being held at police stations across Britain. Police searched their homes.

Britain's current terror threat level is "severe," meaning that an attack is "highly likely."

Author: Thomas Sheldrick (Reuters, AFP)
Editor: Nancy Isenson

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Police monitor Oktoberfest

Germany downplays terror threats announced in US, British travel alerts

Germany downplays terror threats announced in US, British travel alerts

The US media have extensively covered the US State Department's travel alert for Europe, even naming specific targets in Berlin and Paris. But Germany says the threat of a terror attack is no higher than usual. (04.10.2010)
October 4, 2010
Pope Benedict in London

Six arrested in Pope security scare in London

Six arrested in Pope security scare in London

British police say they have arrested six terror suspects in central London, amid speculation that the arrests could be linked to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI, who is in the British capital on day two of his trip. (17.09.2010)
September 17, 2010
Terrorism illustration

Homegrown terrorism remains a threat across Europe

Homegrown terrorism remains a threat across Europe

Five years after the London bombings, in which 52 people died, homegrown terror remains a concern across Europe. More dialogue and a coordinated strategy is how EU countries hope to tackle the problem. (07.07.2010)
July 7, 2010