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Armed police hold two after blast Armed police hold two after blast
(10 minutes later)
Armed police have arrested two men in an operation linked to an explosion in a restaurant in Exeter.Armed police have arrested two men in an operation linked to an explosion in a restaurant in Exeter.
Officers made the arrests in the Old Town Street area of Plymouth and part of the city centre was evacuated.Officers made the arrests in the Old Town Street area of Plymouth and part of the city centre was evacuated.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the arrests were linked to the explosion in Exeter on Thursday, for which one man, Nicky Reilly, has been arrested.Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the arrests were linked to the explosion in Exeter on Thursday, for which one man, Nicky Reilly, has been arrested.
Meanwhile, sources close to the investigation revealed police were aware of Mr Reilly prior to his arrest.Meanwhile, sources close to the investigation revealed police were aware of Mr Reilly prior to his arrest.
Armed police swooped on two men who were drinking at Bagatelles cafe in Plymouth. It is also understood that he received a text message before he travelled to Exeter, which could be significant to the investigation.
In Friday's operation, armed police targeted two men who were drinking at Bagatelles cafe in Plymouth.
Paper suitsPaper suits
Tony Merrick, who works nearby, told BBC News: "There were about 25-30 officers in 10 vehicles.Tony Merrick, who works nearby, told BBC News: "There were about 25-30 officers in 10 vehicles.
"They sealed off the area and two men in the cafe were surrounded.""They sealed off the area and two men in the cafe were surrounded."
Rebecca Pope, 25, who was looking out of a window above the cafe, said the two men were put in paper suits before being taken away in unmarked cars. Nicky Reilly suffered facial injuries in Thursday's blastRebecca Pope, 25, who was looking out of a window above the cafe, said the two men were put in paper suits before being taken away in unmarked cars.
On Thursday an explosive device detonated inside the Giraffe restaurant in Exeter. Police arrested Nicky Reilly, 22, from Plymouth, on Thursday after an explosive device detonated inside the Giraffe restaurant in Exeter.
Police arrested Nicky Reilly, 22, who was injured in the blast and it was later revealed he had a history of mental illness. It is thought there were two further devices which were recovered from the scene and made safe.
Officers later revealed Mr Reilly, who was injured in the blast, had a history of mental illness.
Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said police believed Mr Reilly had adopted the Islamic faith and had been "preyed upon" and "radicalised".Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said police believed Mr Reilly had adopted the Islamic faith and had been "preyed upon" and "radicalised".
However, Devon and Cornwall Police have not yet explained what they mean by "radicalised", nor to what extent Mr Reilly was "preyed upon".However, Devon and Cornwall Police have not yet explained what they mean by "radicalised", nor to what extent Mr Reilly was "preyed upon".
There were also a series of security alerts in Plymouth earlier on Friday afternoon when the area around the city's main library was cordoned off.There were also a series of security alerts in Plymouth earlier on Friday afternoon when the area around the city's main library was cordoned off.
The cordon has now been lifted.The cordon has now been lifted.