Man arrested in counter terrorism sting after police find 'suspicious substances' and carry out 'controlled explosion'

Man arrested in counter terrorism sting after police find 'suspicious substances' and carry out 'controlled explosion'

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GB News
James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 16/05/2024

- 13:29

The man had also been arrested on suspicion of causing explosions likely to endanger life and possession of class A drugs, but had been bailed before he was re-arrested

A man has been arrested after counter-terrorism police found "a number of suspicious substances" at a home in Bedfordshire.

Police swooped on the property with hazmat suits and Geiger counters, upon which point they located chemical explosives and radioactive material in a garden shed at the rear of the semi-detached home in Caddington.


Bedfordshire Police said an ordnance disposal team had carried out a "controlled explosion" at the site on Caddington's Hyde Road.

The man, 31, was arrested on May 6 by Bedfordshire Police on suspicion of causing explosions likely to endanger life and possession of class A drugs.

Men in Hazmat suits/house in Caddington

Authorities in hazmat suits arrived to sweep the property on Hyde Road, Caddington (file photo)

PA/Google

He had been bailed before being re-arrested on Tuesday, May 14, on suspicion of possession of articles for terrorist purposes and remains in custody, the Metropolitan Police said.

Bedfordshire Police said: "We can confirm we are working with SO15, the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, which has taken over the investigation."

The Met said added specialist officers were continuing searches at the address and have recovered a number of items and substances which are being dealt with and removed safely by specialist officers.

There is not believed to be any risk to local residents or the wider public.

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Counter-terror screens/police

Bedfordshire Police said counter-terror ops had taken over proceedings (file photos)

PA

The Met added it continues to work closely with colleagues from Bedfordshire Police and the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit as the investigation continues.

Police have also removed electronic devices from the property and are investigating the 31-year-old's background, the Sun reported.

SO15, the organisation mentioned by Bedfordshire Police, is also known as Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) - and has been involved in investigating high-profile events like the Manchester Arena bombing, the Salisbury poisonings and the 2017 Westminster and London Bridge attacks.

And just days ago, officers from CTC charged three people under the National Security Act after allegedly assisting a foreign intelligence service.

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