19/04/2004

Police carry out anti-terror raids across UK

Nine men and one woman have been arrested following police raids at a number of addresses in England this morning.

Seven of those arrested, including the woman, were detained in the Manchester area, three others were held following raids in Staffordshire, South Yorkshire and the West Midlands.

Police confirmed the arrests were made under the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of involvement in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Three locations in Manchester city centre were closed off on Monday afternoon as police conducted follow-up forensic examinations at premises.

Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Dave Whatton said the raids were conducted as part of an "on-going operation related to the threat of terrorism".

He added that those arrested were believed to be of Iraqi Kurd and North African origin.

However, while he urged vigilance by the public, he condemned as "extremely unhelpful" speculation that public buildings in Manchester were terrorist targets.

The raids co-ordinated by Greater Manchester Police involved some 400 police officers from four police forces some of whom are understood to belong to the anti-terrorist squad of the Metropolitan Police.

The search operations are expected to continue on Tuesday.

(gmcg/sp)

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