Police believe they have stopped an imminent plot to attack Jewish communities in the Manchester area.
The announcement on Tuesday follows the arrest of two men on Sunday at 2.45pm in Manchester and comes during the Jewish holy month.
Counter-terrorism investigators were unusually explicit about the alleged attack plot, which was halted after an operation lasting several months. Police believe they have detained the main suspects and any materials they may have been planning to use.
Deputy assistant commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “This has been a long-running proactive investigation which has led to the disruption of what we believe to be a plot to target the Jewish community in the Manchester area.”
The arrests and official confirmation of a suspected attack plot comes almost a year after an Islamist-incited attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur left two people dead, with the attacker shot dead by police.
Arrests were made hours before this year’s Yom Kippur started, with police fearing any plot might be “imminent”. The Jewish festival of Sukkot falls on Friday, with other holy days to follow.
Evans added: “We are acutely aware this news will cause further concern to the Jewish community, as well as the wider public, especially given the significant High Holy Day period.
“I want to reassure them we are working incredibly closely with colleagues in Greater Manchester police and partners to ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep them and the wider public safe.”
The two men in their 30s were arrested under section 41 of the Terrorism Act, meaning police suspected they were terrorists. Police will not officially say what the motive was, nor the nationality or ethnicity of those detained.
The Guardian understands that a far-right motive is thought to be unlikely. Sources stress the investigation is at an early stage. Islamist extremism is among possible motives under consideration, and given a spate of recent attacks against Jewish targets, investigators are searching for any sign of a state link. Investigators are increasingly finding it difficult to determine motive until much later in an investigation, if at all.
The UK’s terrorism threat level is now at its second highest level of severe.
The investigation was led by CTP in London and the two men arrested have been taken to a police station in the capital for questioning.
Warrants for their further detention have been granted, meaning they can be held until Sunday.
The arrests led to searches in Epworth Street, Liverpool, and Lancaster Road, Salford, which police say have now been completed. Examination of electronic devices such as mobile phones is under way.
Evans added: “Counter Terrorism Policing continue to focus our efforts on identifying and disrupting those who wish to cause harm in our communities.
“As we have shown with these arrests, where we suspect there could be a threat to the public, then we will not hesitate to investigate and take action.
“We are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry and we anticipate these will continue over the coming days as this investigation continues.
“Importantly, we do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter, but as ever, we would ask that people remain vigilant and contact police with any concerns.”
The Community Security Trust (CST), which works to keep Jewish communities in the UK safe from attack, said: “This is utterly chilling, coming so close to the anniversary of the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue last year, and is another reminder of the serious terrorist threat facing Jewish communities in this current time.
“We urge the Jewish community to remain calm and alert, and to report any suspicious activity to police on 999 and then to CST.”
