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| Version 11 | Version 12 |
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| NI terrorism: Arrested Royal Marine originally from Larne, County Antrim | NI terrorism: Arrested Royal Marine originally from Larne, County Antrim |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A serving Royal Marine arrested in Somerset over Northern Ireland-related terrorism is from County Antrim. | |
| Ciaran Maxwell, 30, from Larne, was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command. | |
| His arrest came after searches in Larne and Devon. | |
| The pre-planned operation involved several UK police forces, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). | The pre-planned operation involved several UK police forces, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). |
| It is understood MI5 is also involved in the operation in England. | It is understood MI5 is also involved in the operation in England. |
| Following the arrest on Wednesday afternoon, police in Devon searched a house in Exminster and a wooded area nearby, while the PSNI has carried out searches at a least two houses on the Old Glenarm Road in Larne. | Following the arrest on Wednesday afternoon, police in Devon searched a house in Exminster and a wooded area nearby, while the PSNI has carried out searches at a least two houses on the Old Glenarm Road in Larne. |
| It is understood the operation is connected to the discovery of two arms dumps near Larne earlier this year, which were suspected to be linked to dissident republican paramilitaries. | It is understood the operation is connected to the discovery of two arms dumps near Larne earlier this year, which were suspected to be linked to dissident republican paramilitaries. |
| In March, the PSNI said they had uncovered a "significant terrorist hide" of bomb-making components and explosives at Carnfunnock Country Park. | In March, the PSNI said they had uncovered a "significant terrorist hide" of bomb-making components and explosives at Carnfunnock Country Park. |
| In May, a second significant arms cache, including an armour-piercing improvised rocket and two anti-personnel mines, was found at Capanagh Forest, near Larne. | In May, a second significant arms cache, including an armour-piercing improvised rocket and two anti-personnel mines, was found at Capanagh Forest, near Larne. |
| 'Intelligence-led' | 'Intelligence-led' |
| The man under arrest is suspected of being involved in preparing for acts of terrorism and is being held at a West Country police station. | The man under arrest is suspected of being involved in preparing for acts of terrorism and is being held at a West Country police station. |
| Police said the operation was pre-planned and intelligence-led as part of a collaboration between the Met, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the South West Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit. | Police said the operation was pre-planned and intelligence-led as part of a collaboration between the Met, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the South West Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit. |
| BBC News's home affairs correspondent, Daniel Sandford, told BBC Newsline that the arrest was the culmination of "months" of police work. | BBC News's home affairs correspondent, Daniel Sandford, told BBC Newsline that the arrest was the culmination of "months" of police work. |
| The arrest was made at 12:20 BST by Met detectives supported by officers from Avon and Somerset and Devon and Cornwall Police. | The arrest was made at 12:20 BST by Met detectives supported by officers from Avon and Somerset and Devon and Cornwall Police. |
| At the suspect's home town in Larne, heavily armed police supported forensic investigators as they searched houses. | At the suspect's home town in Larne, heavily armed police supported forensic investigators as they searched houses. |
| Army technical officers, who are routinely deployed where there is a threat of explosives, were also involved in the operation. | Army technical officers, who are routinely deployed where there is a threat of explosives, were also involved in the operation. |
| Speaking from the scene, BBC Newsline reporter David Maxwell said there was a "significant" police presence at Old Glenarm Road all afternoon. | Speaking from the scene, BBC Newsline reporter David Maxwell said there was a "significant" police presence at Old Glenarm Road all afternoon. |
| He said he saw officers bringing a ladder into one of the houses, while bags of material were taken in and out of the properties. | He said he saw officers bringing a ladder into one of the houses, while bags of material were taken in and out of the properties. |
| Speaking from Exminster, BBC News correspondent Jon Kay said police were focusing on "reassuring people" in the area of the searches. | Speaking from Exminster, BBC News correspondent Jon Kay said police were focusing on "reassuring people" in the area of the searches. |
| He added that there was no sign that "police will stop searching soon", but that the focus is on assuring residents in the area that this will not affect them. | |
| A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: "We are aware of a police investigation involving the arrest of a member of the armed forces under the 2000 Terrorism Act and will assist this investigation fully. | A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: "We are aware of a police investigation involving the arrest of a member of the armed forces under the 2000 Terrorism Act and will assist this investigation fully. |
| The MOD statement added: "It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing investigation." | The MOD statement added: "It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing investigation." |