Seven Iranians among eight arrested in anti-terror raids

Eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, have been arrested in two separate counterterror operations across England.

- TARA COBHAM

Police searches are being carried out at a number of addresses across the Greater Manchester, London and Swindon areas, as people are warned to “remain vigilant" while the force establishes if the public are in danger.

Five men, including four Iranian nationals, were arrested at locations across England on Saturday on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act after a suspected plot "to target a single premises" was uncovered, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force confirmed a further three Iranian men were arrested on Saturday as part of a separate investigation.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said the arrests were sparked by "serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats".

Local resident Sarah Cash, 49, of Cheadle Hulme in Greater Manchester, told The Independent: "My son was there with his friends and saw the police with guns... [There was] a huge police presence. Very scary."