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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 Larne, County Antrim. | A serving Royal Marine arrested in Somerset over Northern Ireland-related terrorism is from Larne, County Antrim. |
The 30-year-old's arrest, by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command, was followed by searches in Larne and Devon. | |
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 in 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 | The man under arrest is suspected of being involved in preparing for acts of terrorism |
He is being held at a West Country police station. | He is being held at a West Country police station. |
Police said the arrest 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 arrest 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. |
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. |
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. |
"It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing investigation." | "It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing investigation." |