UK police have identified the five male suspects arrested on Sunday on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack as British nationals.
Police arrested the suspects after a resident reported seeing vehicles and a group of masked men travelling towards a Royal Air Force air base.
Authorities said the suspects were all in their 20s: three from Westminster, aged 23, 24 and 25; one from Willesden, aged 24; and another from Camden, also aged 24.
The suspects are currently being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), and a custody extension has been secured until later today.
Counter Terrorism Policing said it is still investigating the case to determine the circumstances of the suspects’ activity, their knowledge, and the motivation behind the incident.
CTP said specially trained officers have been examining the scene overnight and have been carrying out numerous activities, which has led ot multiple new lines of enquiry.
It added that the nature of the probe means significant resources, including military assets, remain deployed at the location and urged residents to exercise patience over the disruption as investigations continue at the scene.
The 400m cordon, set up after the incident, will remain in place until after a review today.
Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, said, “This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MOD, and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community.
“I know this has been incredibly disruptive for local people, but I’d like to reassure them that our activity is in the interest of national security, but most importantly in the interest of their own safety.”
Ms Evans added, “I’d also like to thank the emergency services for their response, including the armed officers who first attended the scene, not knowing what they may face.
“I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident, and the geopolitical questions that are being raised. However, I ask that at this time, CTP are given the space to work carefully and clearly.”
