Five arrested on suspicion of terror-related activities

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of terror-related activities following an investigation involving MI5 and French and Belgian authorities.

Four of the individuals – three men and a woman – were arrested on Thursday evening, while a 26-year old man was arrested at Gatwick airport early on Friday.

They are all being held for questioning in the West Midlands, where police are also searching properties as part of an ongoing investigation.

Assistant chief constable Marcus Beale, the head of counter-terrorism for the West Midlands, said: “This action forms part of an extensive investigation by West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit (WMCTU), together with the wider counter terrorism network, MI5 and international partners including Belgian and French authorities to address any associated threat to the UK following the attacks in Europe.

“The arrests were pre-planned and intelligence-led. There was no risk to the public at any time and there is no information to suggest an attack in the UK was being planned.”

The men arrested in Birmingham are aged 26, 40 and 59, and the woman is 29.