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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 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).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.
He added that there was no sign "police will stop searching soon".
BBC News correspondent Jon Kay said that police were continuing searches in Exminster and focusing on "reassuring people" that the
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."