Counter Terrorism Policing said a right-wing terror threat targeting the UK Ijtima event at Shrubland Hall in Barham, Suffolk, led to 12 arrests across England and the early closure of the gathering on Sunday as a precaution.
The policing network said officers acted after becoming aware of a “potential serious threat” to the Islamic event. A major incident was declared at the time, but police said that status has since been stood down. There is not believed to be any wider threat to the public linked to the case, according to Counter Terrorism Policing.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the police response to what she called a “credible threat” had “undoubtedly saved lives”. That is not exactly the kind of phrase anyone wants attached to a community festival, but it explains the scale of the response.
What police say happened at the UK Ijtima event
The UK Ijtima was being held at Shrubland Hall, a country estate at Barham near Ipswich. Suffolk Police said about 15,000 attendees had “safely departed” after the event was brought to an early end.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said officers “moved quickly” to make arrests in several parts of the country. She said the investigation was “right-wing terrorism related”, and searches were being carried out at addresses linked to those arrested.
