UK police arrest twelve in large-scale anti-terror raid

Suspected of the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in the UK, and aged between 18 and 28, were detained by unarmed officers at about 0500 GMT. Searches of their homes and other addresses are currently underway.

In a statement, West Midlands Police said that "all were arrested at or near their home addresses, with the exception of one suspect from Stoke who was at a domestic property in Birmingham.”

"Searches are now being conducted at the home addresses, plus the address in Birmingham and another residence in London,” the statement added. "The suspects will be held at police stations in central London, the North West and the West Midlands."

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner and national lead for counter-terrorism policing John Yates said it was a "large-scale, pre-planned, intelligence-led" operation involving several forces.

"The operation is in its early stages so we are unable to go into detail at this time about the suspected offences," he said. "However, I believe it was necessary at this time to take action in order to ensure public safety."