The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Police arrest five over Pope threat

Five men aged between 26 and 50 arrested under the Terrorism Act.

By Duncan Robinson Published 17 September 2010 14:10

Police arrested five men in a dawn raid after receiving information about a plot to harm the Pope.

Officers from Scotland Yard conducted raids across London at 5.45am. The men, aged 26, 27, 36, 40 and 50, are being detained under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Despite the threat, the Pope's itinerary has not changed. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said:

Today's arrests were made after police received information. Following initial inquiries by detectives, a decision was made to arrest the five men.

Following today's arrests the policing arrangements for the papal visit were reviewed and we are satisfied that our current policing plan remains appropriate.

UPDATE: A statement released by Westminster City Council revealed that the men worked for a private contractor used by the council.

Sources told the Guardian that the men are Muslims and that some of them are Algerian.

Special Offer: Get 12 issues of New Statesman magazine for just £12

Tags: Papal visit 2010

More from Duncan Robinson

5 comments

Fri, 2010-09-17 14:26 — Clem the Gem

I want more details on this asap. Are these men terrorists, or protesters?
Given the habit of the police of charging protesters with terrorist offences, I have grave doubts about this...

Fri, 2010-09-17 15:25 — swatantra nandanwar

Tomorrow: Police release 5 without charge.

Fri, 2010-09-17 17:00 — Des Demona (not verified)

''Tomorrow: Police release 5 without charge.''

Nope, they are Algerians so I'd give it about 5 weeks.

Sun, 2010-09-19 12:10 — marc (not verified)

any news about this famous algerians terrorist,that remaind me of the algerian who was arressted 9/11 then no news ,what a joke.

Sun, 2010-09-19 12:56 — swatantra nandanwar

In fact they were released without charge, as aforesaid.
This nonsense and paranoia over 'terrorism' has got to stop. Its fabricated by the intelligence community and the state authorities, I think just to keep themselves in jobs.
What there are are a handful of exreme nutters, religious fanatics, who are already well known to the authorities, and who should be rounded up and incacerated tomorrow, to take them out of circulation.
It is important to remember that the victims of 'terrorist attacks' have been few in number; more people are killed on roads and at the hands of nutters like Moat and Bird. Its a chance that every citizen has to take that they may fall victim to nutters like Moat or Bird or religious islamic fanatics, who have flipped. On the other hand, there is more chance of being struck by lightening.
This paranoia is seriously damaging community religions. It would helpenormously if the communities would be more active in 'policing' themselves, and removing these nutters, by providing the authorities with information.