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London Police Reveal They’ve Stopped Two Terror Plots In One Day

London Police Reveal They’ve Stopped Two Terror Plots In One Day

"Activity continues around the clock to identify and stop these threats and we are making arrests on a near-daily basis."

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Whitehall was sent into lock down yesterday after a man alleged to be carrying knives was arrested.

The Guardian reports the suspect was caught following a tip-off to police by a member of Britain's Muslim community.

The 27-year-old was detained only a few metres from where Khalid Masood launched his attack late last month which killed five people.

It's believed the man was operating alone but MI5 is looking into whether he was directed or motivated by Islamic State or another group.

It was a dramatic scene when the arrest took place, with specialist officers dressed in blue and white jumpsuits inspecting the man's bag, while heavily armed police blocked off traffic and pedestrians.

whitehall
whitehall

Credit: PA

Prime Minister Theresa May said: "I think it shows that our police and our intelligence and security services are on the alert as they always are, looking to keep us safe and secure.

"I would say that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to these people, many of whom are unseen, unheard, yet the job they do day in, day out to keep us secure is a really important one and we should thank them for it."

But that wasn't the only counter-terror operation that police were involved in yesterday.

Just before 7pm, 'highly-trained firearms officers' broke down the door of a home in Willesden, North-West London.

police
police

As police entered the building, a woman was shot and taken to hospital where she's understood to be in a serious but stable condition.

Six people have been arrested as a result of that operation, five from the Willesden home and another from Kent.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu has released a statement: "With the attack in Westminster on 22 March so fresh in people's minds, I would like to reassure everyone that across the country officers are working round the clock to identify those people who intend to commit acts of terror.

"After that attack, we increased the number of officers on duty patrolling at key locations - and that continues as we police against the backdrop of a severe terrorist threat.

basu
basu

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu addressing the media. Credit: PA

"There are constant acts of immense bravery by officers - armed and unarmed - those that the public see when our officers run towards danger, just like yesterday, but a huge amount of unseen work that the public will never know about from us and our brilliant security services."

The woman who was shot is still under police guard in hospital. As a result of her injury, the Police Complaints Commission has been informed.

Police have said both operations were a result of continued intelligence and all suspects had been under surveillance for some time.

A witness has told the Metro the family who live in the property are from Somalia.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu adds that the community should be thanked for their support as these operations wouldn't have been brought about without their tip-offs.

He says: "Please continue to let us know of any suspicions or concerns you may have. No call is ever a waste of our time and every call is treated seriously and confidentially and investigated."

Sources: The Guardian; The Metro

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: London