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Man arrested in Cornwall on suspicion of Syria-related terrorism offence Man arrested in Cornwall on suspicion of Syria-related terrorism offence
(about 7 hours later)
A 26-year-old man has been arrested in Cornwall on suspicion of a terrorism offence linked to Syria, police have said. A young man has been arrested at a curry house in a Cornish holiday resort on suspicion of a terrorism offence linked to Syria.
The Bangladeshi national was detained in the seaside town of Hayle on Monday night by officers from the south-east counter terrorism unit (Sectu) and Devon and Cornwall police. The 26-year-old Bangladeshi national is being questioned by counter-terrorism officers following the raid on the Balti King restaurant in Hayle, which is famous for its golden sandy beaches.
He is being questioned at a police station in the Devon and Cornwall area on suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism. Police said he was being held at a police station in the Devon and Cornwall force area on suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism.
A police spokesman said the arrest was “in relation to conflicts overseas” and not linked to any immediate threat to local communities or other parts of the UK. A Devon and Cornwall police spokesman said the arrest was related to “internet activity around the conflict in Syria” and not linked to any immediate threat to the UK.
A Sectu spokeswoman confirmed the arrest was related to the ongoing conflict in Syria. Police have not confirmed whether the suspect worked at the Indian restaurant but said he had “an association with the premises.”
The West Cornwall local police area commander, Supt Jim Pearce, said: “I would like to reassure the community that this investigation should have very little impact on local residents. The man was arrested following a joint operation by the south-east counter-terrorism unit (Sectu) and the local force.
“The arrest was pre-planned and was not made in response to any immediate threat to public safety in Hayle. West Cornwall local police area commander Superintendent Jim Pearce said: “I would like to reassure the community that this investigation should have very little impact on local residents. The arrest was pre-planned and was not made in response to any immediate threat to public safety in Hayle. Our officers will continue to maintain a presence in the area, offering reassurance to the local community.”
“Our officers will continue to maintain a presence in the area, offering reassurance to the local community.” There was alarm in the resort at what appeared to be a huge police presence, but the force said this was related to a separate major incident exercise.
A shop manager, who works in Fore Street, where the man is believed to have been arrested, said police remained in the area. British counter-terrorism police have made a number of arrests linked to the conflict in Syria in recent weeks but a Sectu spokeswoman would not confirm whether the latest arrest was linked to any other case.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “We’re all shocked. We can’t believe it.” The Balti King’s windows were covered over with brown paper to prevent onlookers in busy Fore Street from peering in as officers worked inside.
British counter-terrorism police have made a number of arrests linked to the conflict in Syria in recent weeks. Bini Barnes, 43, who manages a shop next to the restaurant, said: “I’m completely gobsmacked, it seems unreal. Living in Hayle, you don’t expect this sort of thing to happen on your doorstep. I am absolutely terrified.” Taniele Schultz, 22, a tanning salon manager, said: “I’m really worried, it’s just so shocking.”
A 21-year-old man was detained in Hackney, north-east London, last Wednesday, while a 25-year-old woman in Bedfordshire and a 32-year-old man in London were questioned on 22 October.
Three men and three women were also arrested in Portsmouth and Farnborough in Hampshire and Greenwich, in south-east London, on 14 October.
A Sectu spokeswoman would not confirm whether the latest arrest was linked to any other case.
Anyone with information should contact police or call the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.