A DOZEN people have been arrested after an Islamic event had to close early due to an alleged threat from extreme right-wing terrorists.
Organisers of the the UK Ijtima event in Shrubland Hall, Suffolk were advised to end the event earlier than planned on Sunday by police after the possible threat.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London said: “After becoming aware of a potential serious threat towards the Islamic event in Suffolk, we have moved extremely quickly to make a number of arrests in various locations across the country.
“I would like to thank colleagues in Suffolk Police for their ongoing support, which led to the declaration of a major incident on Sunday in response to this.
“I’d also like to thank the event organisers and the public who have been impacted by this.
“I know this news may be concerning to the public and particularly those in the Muslim community, given that we believe the intended target was an Islamic event.
“But as we have shown, we will not hesitate to act if there is any potential threat, no matter who or what the potential target may be.
“I’m also pleased to say that although the event ended slightly earlier than planned, it nevertheless passed off safely.
“Sadly, this activity is a stark reminder that the threat level in the UK is at ‘severe’, so we urge the public to remain vigilant and report anything if it doesn’t look or feel right.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said police are investigating a credible threat against the event.
She said: “I know this is deeply concerning news for British Muslims.
“We must stand against hatred and we must unite around our shared belief in a country that is open, generous and tolerant to all our communities.”
A spokesperson for the Muslim Council of Britain, meanwhile, said: "We thank counter-terror police for their swift action in arresting twelve people over a terrorist threat to an Islamic event this weekend, the speed of their response undoubtedly saved lives, and we are relieved everyone is safe.
"This cannot be treated as an isolated incident. Barely a month after racist pogroms in Belfast and a terror-related incident in Edinburgh that left five men injured, this once again highlights that the threat facing Muslim communities is real, not imagined. The MCB calls on ministers to match the language of condemnation with actual action and policy, not another round of statements that change nothing."
