Five detainees on suspicion of planning terrorist attack in the UK

Five men, at least four of whom are Iranian citizens, were detained in the United Kingdom on suspicion of planning a terrorist act.

London Metropolitan Police announced on Sunday that the arrests took place on Saturday, in the areas of London, Manchester (Centro) and Swindon, west of the capital, where searches are still taking place.

« The investigation is about an alleged plan to achieve a specific place. Police officers contacted the affected places to inform and provide the necessary counseling and support, but for operational reasons, we can not provide more information at this time, » police said in a statement.

According to the authorities, the four Iranians are between 29 and 46 years old, while the age and nationality of the fifth man was not made public.

« This is an investigation in rapid evolution, » said the head of the Metropolitan Police Anti -terrorism unit, Commander Dominic Murphy, quoted in the statement.

« The investigation is still at an early stage and we are exploring various ways to establish any potential motive and determine if this case can pose an additional risk to the public, » added Murphy