Ten held in bomb plot terror swoop

Andrew Nott

April 19, 2004

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SEALED OFF: Police on Upper Brook Street

A TERROR plot to bomb a target in Greater Manchester was uncovered today.

Ten people - all with apparent links to extreme Islamic groups - were arrested in co-ordinated raids early this morning.

Special branch officers confirmed they had arrested nine men and one woman. Seven addresses were targeted and seven people arrested in Greater Manchester.

Three further people were arrested in the West Midlands, Staffordshire, and South Yorkshire.

Those being questioned today are Iraqis, Kurds and north Africans.

Police said they would neither confirm not deny rumours about possible targets.

A total of 400 officers from the four forces were used in the co-ordinated swoops.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police, which oversaw the operation said: "All those arrested are being held on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism."

It is the climax of a lengthy surveillance operation involving Special Branch and the security services, during which a number of messages have been intercepted.

Top secret

Scores of officers from across the Greater Manchester force were drafted in to assist in the raids - but the identity and details of the suspects remain top secret, even to those involved in the operation.

Those arrested, believed to be a mix of nationalities, were taken to separate police stations across the area for questioning. It was unclear whether any explosives or weapons had been recovered.

As police guarded a takeaway shop and flat this morning, a spokesman confirmed: "A number of search warrants, issued under the Terrorism Act 2000, were today executed by GMP."

An officer in protective clothing was later seen taking a large, black plastic bag from the building.

But police refused to issue further details, for fear of jeopardising the on-going operation.

Officers refused to discuss the possible target of the plot, but there has been speculation that it was a high-profile venue where many people gather.

Shopping centres and sports grounds are seen as a possible focus for an attack.

The raids follow revelations in the Manchester Evening News a week ago that GMP had raised its alert level as suspicions rose that the north west was a definite target.

More than 50 officers were moved from their regular duties to work within a task force committed specifically to combating terror threats to the region.

One of the raids today involved a swoop on a flat above a kebab shop in Upper Brook Street.

Inquiries

Police moved in quickly and sealed the road, but opened it again within a short period.

Officers kept the immediate area secure while a detailed search of the premises was carried out.

The operation was due to continue throughout the day and it is understood GMP inquiries have alerted them to suspects in other parts of the country. Details have been passed on to the appropriate forces.

It is understood this is one of a number of secret operations launched over several months by GMP in a bid to stay one step ahead of extremist groups.

These have included detailed surveys of land around the airport to identify sites that could be used to launch missiles against a civilian aircraft, and an increase in armed patrols.

The trigger for the latest heightened alert was the carnage of the Madrid bombings, after which Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, declared: "We are now in a state of real danger. A terrorist attack on Britain is inevitable."

Manchester's Chief Constable, Michael Todd, said last week: "The threat is high, but people should be reassured that we are taking all possible steps to deal with it."

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Anon, Manc (19/04/2004 at 15:38)

Disgusting, We have suffered one bomb where luckily nobody died. Well done to our police force there is no need for anymore inocent people to die.

daz, manchester (19/04/2004 at 16:35)

well done to the police and people who caught the idiots i just hope that the place where they was gonna target wasnt manchester united fc its a major concern of mine that one day my second home will be a target, islam is a peacefull religion but the people who preach it are not they are hell bent on hurting people either through jealousy or other means, its sad but a true fact!

Beefy, Wythenshawe (19/04/2004 at 16:45)

Full credit to the police, lets hope they keep on top of the situations as they have done.

Its frightening to think that i recently moved away from that area and frequently used both kebab shops on that road.

Well done GMP. Keep up the good work

T marks, G M/R (19/04/2004 at 17:24)

Shocking news! Well done GMP. As well as the work of the security services, let us remember that public vigilance is vital to our protection.

Ayub Khan, Batley West Yorkshire (19/04/2004 at 22:52)

Questions have to be asked why such large operations are carried out, but at the end of the day only a handful of people are convicted. At the same time we are told not to worry, and carry on as normal. In my opinion these operations are targetted at Muslims only to justify that the government are alert to terrorism. This only arouse suspicions and leads to the isolation of the Muslim community, at a time when they should be co operaion between all to stop terrorism.

Mike D, Glendale, Arizona (20/04/2004 at 00:49)

Prime Minister Blair and Pres Bush have the only solution to the problem,Take the fight to the enemy, destroy all terroist organizations around the world.To hell with the U.N its a third world impotent entity anyway, sucking tax money from misguided hard working people like ourselves.Its going to be a long hard and heartbreaking fight that we can not under any circumstances afford to loose.If you value our hard earned western culture you better get on board and stay on board.The true Anglo American alliance is being called upon to save our traditional values yet again,Mike D ex.pat.Proud to live in a free society

andy, MANC (20/04/2004 at 01:33)

well done to all at G.M.P

Pablo, US (20/04/2004 at 04:11)

This problem can ultimately only be properly resolved from within. There are today hundreds of "schools" in many muslim countries where young people are taught to hate the west. This can only be stopped when those cultures change it themselves. Now the question is what will prompt them to change?

Tricia, Tel Aviv (20/04/2004 at 06:06)

As an ex-Mancunian who visits regularly I am aghast at the blatant pro-terrorist demonstrations held on Saturday mornings outside Marks and Spencers. The Manchester public are naively drawn in by anti-Israel propoganda to a net of terror-linked organisations. Make no mistake, Manchester is a sitting target. The police should be given every assistance and help they require to cut out this cancer threatening my home town. What is needed is a complete crack down. No one is immune to the despicable actions of radical Islamists.

john allen, droylsden (20/04/2004 at 08:22)

was the police raids in clayton anything to do with this,as my in laws live across the road and are very worried

Dino Mavridis, Fallowfield, Manchester (20/04/2004 at 08:48)

Scary news for all Mancunians, but all the more so for the hundreds of students who live in that area (Victoria Park halls) and regularly use those shops! Well done to the police, who really do seem to always be one step ahead!

Alison Burney, Madrid, Spain (20/04/2004 at 08:58)

Fantastic work by the Manchester Police Force. Here in Madrid we are all still in shock from the past events on 11 March. The only way we have to defend ourselves is to rely on the brave work of the Police and to be extremely vigilant. My deepest condolencies to all the victims of all types of terrorism.

al, Man (20/04/2004 at 09:36)

A Khan - you ask why is it that muslims are being targetted ?? They are the ones who are screaming down with the West, UK and America. Why do you think ??

PW, Manchester (20/04/2004 at 09:38)

One thing is clear. These people set out to kill anyone, and the more people the better, to them. They don't care if they kill Muslims or Christians with their miserable and underhand tricks. They are the enemy of all of us, and should be flushed out by all members of our community. How do they think they can win over a country that has stood up so much to tyrants and dictators in the past? We owe these people nothing.

Claire, Manchester (20/04/2004 at 10:53)

With a risk of sounding "pro-terrorist", I'm finding the comments made on this board more terrifying than the news yesterday. Nothings been proved, and the governement needs operations like this to justify their heavy handed anti-terrorist legislation. I support the GMP and their efforts to keep us safe, but perhaps we should be more even tempered and wait until substantial evidence has been produced before damning an entire religion. Otherwise this war on terror will only lead to the un-doing of us all, through extreme and ill thought reactions.

Dave, Manchester (20/04/2004 at 11:34)

This raid will have been carried out thanks to day to day 'bugging' by MI5. From what I gather, almost everyones phone and emails are traced and recorded if anything suspicious is found in them.

There are of course pro-privacy people who claim this is in infringement on their right to privacy and civil liberties.

Knowing that this monitoring has saved lives, will these people shut up? I have no worries about my phonecalls being recorded or my emails scanned if it means that people like these are twarted beore they can do any harm.

Well done to all involved, thank you for keeping us safe!

dan braverman, cottage grove,minnesota usa (20/04/2004 at 12:58)

If this was the attack believed to be targeting Old Trafford for this Saturday's game vs. Liverpool, I have a question- What possible benifit will a terrorist attack at an event between 2 of the biggest clubs in front of worldwide TV audience of a couple-hundred million do for Islamic fudimentalism? We in the States & I assume the British won't react the same way the Spanish did after the Madrid bombings. They no longer own their "democracy" as of now. Killing thousands at a ManUtd v Liverpool match will turn people off.

Steve, Manchester (20/04/2004 at 14:01)

Well done to all concerned keep it up, it's the only way to bet these evil people, if they are found to be guilty, lock um up and throw away the keys!
A. Khan its about time your religions reprsentatives came out and told the rest of us who's side they are on by speaking out against these terrorist at bit more vocally, "instead of sitting on the fence", as they all claim to be fighting for God, lets here the religious leaders put their weight against this type of cowardly action, then perhaps we might all hear what you are saying and sympathies a little.

James, Manchester (20/04/2004 at 14:41)

Does no-one ever stop and wonder why our country is under attack by these 'terrorists'? Do you not think it takes a certain amount of desperation before such radical acts are committed?

There are reasons that we as a country are hated so much. It is our international policies that continually undermine many developing countries and our sickening alliance to the most dangerous threat to the World (America under the rule of the Republicans) that eventually drives people to violence in the hope that they will make a difference.

It is time to start looking at our own actions and find out why we are in this situation rather than just attempting to eradicate terrorism by brute force.

MadAl, Rochdale (20/04/2004 at 14:49)

in response to claire - manchester. what do you suggest that one policean follows just one person every day and waits for them to start lighting a bomb fuse before making an arrest. Be sensible you need to be one step ahead of these terrorists at all times. If out of those 10 arrest only 1 had gone on to carry out some act of terrorism then it is a huge success. You'll never know what or who the target would have been but you could have easily been walking past at the time. Now do you still think its heavy handed. Yes, if it was me that had been pulled in on terrorist charges knowing that you've got nothing to do with then you have a right to be upset but overall theres no smoke without fire regarding these things. Dont mix with people spouting this anti western talk etc. and you have nothing to be worried about.

Ayub Khan, Batley West Yorkshire (20/04/2004 at 15:49)

To Al Man - If the USA, UK and the West occupy Muslim countries under false pretendance,it is obviously going to lead to resentment and hatred which then spoils over in to sittuations such as this. I am opposed to terrorism and illegal occupations by whoever are perpetrating this action, but the trouble is that ordinary innocent people have to pay the price for such actions

Colin Wilcox, Manchester (20/04/2004 at 16:51)

Just on a lighter note. It's ironic that members of terrorist sleeper cells can get tickets to United games yet I cant and I live 2 miles away? Must be from the south !!!!:)

HARCRACKER, Germany - Wolfsburg (20/04/2004 at 18:13)

It's incredible what some people are thinking they're doing about. I hope they'll never get free again.

It's the religion who kills all the people not the weapons...

Martin, London (20/04/2004 at 19:11)

I'm not a Muslim but I can understand the radical Islamic mentality up to a point. Back in the late 1940's a lot of Palestinians fled from Israel to escape the civil war that had broken out. When the fighting died down and they tried to return they found themselves to be persona non grata: the state of Israel had been created. Some of these Palestinians still retain the title deeds to their properties in the refugee camps they ended up in. Except that there are now Israeli families living in the homes they used to own. Then there's Ariel Sharon, the odious Israeli leader who was behind the Sabra and Chatila massacres of innocent, mainly Muslim civilians a few years ago. He's a nasty piece of work in my view. And George Bush is his big mate. And we're friends with Bush. You can see how it looks to Muslims who know a bit about this and a lot of resentment of the West stems from the way we let the Israeli government behave. There are clearly double standards at work. Are the UK Jewish community doing enough to condemn what Sharon gets up to? I'm afraid I don't know enough to answer this question but if a similar accusation is being levelled at Muslims it would balance things up. As far as the response of mainstream Muslims to this is concerned I think the problem for Sunni Muslims might be that they have no equivalent of the Pope, who could excommunicate characters like bin Laden, Sheikh Yassin, Omar Bakri and Abu Hamza or the remnants of the Taliban (it worries me that the Taliban were considered to be Muslim 'brothers and sisters'). I'd also like to see more sophisticated theological engagement with the third rate Imams who are encouraging or condone terrorist activity. For example, the biggest sin in Islam is shirk - deifying something other than Allah. Aren't suicide bombers making gods of their own emotions? For example, there is their 'pride' at the prospect of becoming a martyr and the 'hatred and resentment' they are allowing to cloud their judgement. As far as I understand Islam (and Judaism) these religions are about rising above such destructive emotions.

Pablo, US (20/04/2004 at 21:47)

Hey Khan and Claire, you two are quite a pair. Comparing the words of people posting here with the actions of terrorists is amazingly ignorant. To suggest that ANYTHING, justifies blowing up INNOCENT people only shows that you're part of the problem. Go ahead, give the terrorists comfort. There's a closeup picture of the gaping black hole in the side of one of the World Trade Center buildings, and over in the bottom right corner of the hole you see some color. When you focus and get the page nearer to you, you realize it's a man standing on the edge of the hole. He can't go back into the inferno behind him, and in front of him he has 90+ floors of open space. He had simply gone to work that morning. Do you think he deseved that? What justifies that?

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