UK counter-terrorism officers have arrested 12 people over a suspected extreme right-wing terrorist threat targeting one of Britain’s largest Muslim gatherings.
The investigation centres on the UK Ijtima, a four-day Islamic gathering held at Shrubland Hall in Barham, Suffolk, from July 9 to 12.
Around 15,000 people were at the site when police advised organisers to bring the event to an early close on Sunday amid concerns over a potentially serious threat. Suffolk Constabulary declared a major incident to coordinate the safe departure of attendees, all of whom left the venue safely.
Counter Terrorism Policing London said the investigation was “extreme right-wing terrorism-related” and that officers believed the intended target was the Islamic event.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that police had become aware of a “credible threat to the lives of those present”, prompting a rapid operation involving Suffolk Police, counter-terrorism officers and event organisers.
Arrests across England
Eleven men and one woman were arrested on Sunday and Monday in Surrey, Greater Manchester, Essex, Ipswich and several parts of London.
Eight men, aged between 27 and 42, were arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and remained in custody at the time of the police statement.
Three other men, aged 55, 60 and 82, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
A 48-year-old woman was arrested in east London on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The 82-year-old man was subsequently released on bail, while the other 11 suspects remained in police custody.
Officers were also searching addresses across the country linked to those arrested. The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, supported by regional counter-terrorism units and Suffolk Police.
No charges have been announced, and police enquiries remain ongoing.
‘Potential serious threat’
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said officers moved quickly after becoming aware of the suspected threat.
“After becoming aware of a potential serious threat towards the Islamic event in Suffolk, we have moved extremely quickly to make a number of arrests in various locations across the country,” she said.
Flanagan acknowledged that the investigation would cause particular alarm among British Muslims because police believe an Islamic gathering was the intended target.
“I know this news may be concerning to the public and particularly those in the Muslim community, given that we believe the intended target was an Islamic event,” she said.
She added that police would not hesitate to act against a potential threat, regardless of its intended target, and confirmed that the gathering passed off safely despite ending earlier than planned.
Police said there was no believed wider threat to the public connected to the investigation.
Major incident declared
Suffolk Constabulary declared a major incident early on Sunday morning and convened a multi-agency response to coordinate the departure of approximately 15,000 attendees.
Assistant Chief Constable Alice Scott described the situation as “complex and fast-moving” and said the priority was to protect everyone at the site.
She thanked organisers and worshippers for remaining calm and confirmed that all attendees had left safely.
The major incident status was withdrawn on Monday, although police said a visible presence would remain around Shrubland Hall to reassure local communities.
The UK Ijtima
The UK Ijtima is a large Islamic gathering attended by Muslims for worship, religious learning and spiritual reflection.
The word “ijtima” means gathering, and the event included prayers, Islamic lectures and other religious activities.
The Suffolk gathering is linked to Tablighi Jamaat, an international Islamic revival movement focused primarily on worship, personal religious reform and da’wah.
The organisation generally avoids party politics and concentrates on encouraging Muslims to strengthen their personal religious practice.
Far-right threat
The alleged targeting of thousands of Muslim worshippers is likely to intensify concerns over the threat posed by violent far-right white nationalist networks in Britain.
For much of the past two decades, political and media debate around terrorism has overwhelmingly focused on Muslims and so-called “Islamist extremism”.
However, the UK government and security authorities now publicly identify extreme right-wing terrorism as a significant part of the country’s wider terrorist threat.
Flanagan said the Suffolk investigation was a “stark reminder” of the severe national threat level and urged the public to remain vigilant.
The suspected targeting of the UK Ijtima will also raise further questions over the protection afforded to mosques, Islamic institutions and major Muslim gatherings amid growing anti-Muslim hostility.