Twelve men arrested over suspected UK terrorism plot

LONDON // Twelve men were arrested in the UK on Monday on suspicion of plotting a large-scale act of terrorism, police said following raids across the country.

The men, aged between 17 and 28, were detained "on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in the UK," the West Midlands Police force said in a statement.

"This is a large-scale, pre-planned and intelligence-led operation involving several forces," said Assistant Commissioner John Yates, the officer in charge of counter-terrorism policing.

"The operation is in its early stages so we are unable to go into detail at this time about the suspected offences. However, I believe it was necessary at this time to take action in order to ensure public safety."

Four of the men were from Cardiff, Wales; four from Stoke-on-Trent, north of Birmingham, England; and three from the capital London.

They were all arrested by unarmed officers at or near their home addresses at around 5am (0500 GMT), apart from one suspect from Stoke who was detained at a house in Birmingham.

They are being held at police stations in central London, northwest England and the West Midlands.

Police said searches were under way at their homes, the Birmingham address and another residence in London.

The UK's terrorism threat level is "severe", the second-highest on a five-level grading.

"This means that a terrorist attack is highly likely," the Home Office interior ministry says.