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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/24/member-british-forces-arrested-suspicion-of-northern-ireland-terrorism-offences
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| Member of British forces held for alleged Northern Ireland terrorism offences | Member of British forces held for alleged Northern Ireland terrorism offences |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Police have arrested a serving member of Britain’s armed forces for allegedly preparing acts of terrorism. | Police have arrested a serving member of Britain’s armed forces for allegedly preparing acts of terrorism. |
| Officers from Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command made the arrest on Wednesday at 12.20pm. It is believed to be linked to Northern Ireland-related terrorism. | Officers from Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command made the arrest on Wednesday at 12.20pm. It is believed to be linked to Northern Ireland-related terrorism. |
| The suspect, aged 30, was detained in Somerset. Police gave few details but said searches were under way in “a wooded area in south Devon” as part of the inquiry, and also in Northern Ireland. | The suspect, aged 30, was detained in Somerset. Police gave few details but said searches were under way in “a wooded area in south Devon” as part of the inquiry, and also in Northern Ireland. |
| The searches were for materials linked to terrorism, which are usually weapons or material related to explosives. | The searches were for materials linked to terrorism, which are usually weapons or material related to explosives. |
| In a statement, police said: “Today’s arrest was pre-planned and intelligence-led as part of an investigation into Northern Ireland-related terrorism being led by SO15 in collaboration with Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the South West counter-terrorism intelligence unit. No armed police were involved in today’s arrest. | In a statement, police said: “Today’s arrest was pre-planned and intelligence-led as part of an investigation into Northern Ireland-related terrorism being led by SO15 in collaboration with Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the South West counter-terrorism intelligence unit. No armed police were involved in today’s arrest. |
| “The public can be reassured that there is no intelligence to suggest an immediate threat to our communities.” | “The public can be reassured that there is no intelligence to suggest an immediate threat to our communities.” |
| In a statement 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.” |
| The threat level to the UK mainland from Irish-related terrorism is substantial. | The threat level to the UK mainland from Irish-related terrorism is substantial. |
| Police would not say whether the man was a member of the army, the navy or the air force. | |
| The fact police chiefs decided there was no need to send armed officers suggests they did not believe the suspect had access to a firearm. | |
| A total of four forces were involved in the investigation, as well as the domestic security service MI5. | |
| The timing of the arrest was unusual. Police usually prefer to mount counter-terrorism raids in the early morning, for the element of surprise and to minimise the chances of a suspect fleeing. | |
| Devon and Cornwall police were helping counter-terrorism police searching the south Devon woods. Avon and Somerset officers were helping with searches of an address in Somerset. |