Protesters clash with police in London after seven Kurdish terror suspects arrested

The PKK, a militant group founded in southeast Turkey in 1978 with the aim of creating an independent Kurdish state, was banned in Britain in 2001. The group has been involved in a 40-year conflict, leading to more than 40,000 deaths.

British police said they were carrying out searches at eight premises across London, including the Kurdish Community Centre in Harringay, which is likely to be closed to the public for up to two weeks

Protesters gathered near the community centre following the first six arrests and additional officers have consequently been deployed to the area, the Met reported.

Four people at the protest were arrested but the arrests were not directly connected to the counter-terrorism probe, it said.

Acting Commander Helen Flanagan, from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “I want to stress that today’s arrests are targeted specifically at those we believe may be involved in suspected terrorist activity We understand these arrests have caused some concern amongst certain local communities – particularly those in the Kurdish community.

“I want to reassure the community that our activity is being carried out to keep everyone safe from potential harm, including those within the Kurdish community itself. I would also ask that people avoid speculating or sharing unverified details online about this activity."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Council slashes bin collection to every THREE weeks with locals branding it a 'disgrace'
• Officers instructed to record non-crime hate incidents even if victims do not think it is one
• Trans paedophile jailed for 15 years after grooming schoolgirl

Ishak Milani, of the Kurdish People’s Assembly in the UK, said earlier today: "We, the Kurdish community in London, strongly condemn the recent unjust and heavy-handed raid conducted by British police on our community spaces.

"This aggressive act is not only an attack on our people but also an affront to the principles of democracy, justice and human rights that the UK claims to uphold. We demand accountability for this raid and a clear explanation for the actions taken."

One nearby resident, who requested to remain anonymous, said he saw streams of armed officers detaining the individuals earlier today.

They told MailOnline: "I got up in the morning at 3am to go downstairs and make a sandwich but when I went to look out of the kitchen window I could see movement outside looking onto Portland Gardens and I could see two streams of armed officers walking away from where the Kurdish centre was.

"Roughly guessing, I could see at least 60 officers. It was insane. I could see armoured police trucks and police armed with weapons, the ones you would associate with anti-terrorism."

Additional local officers will be carrying out patrols and there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, with officers available to speak with any members of the public who may be concerned.