Teenager held on terror charges in Bristol
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:52pm BST 18/04/2008
Police are questioning a teenage terrorism suspect after carrying out a controlled explosion at his home.
Neighbours in the quiet cul-de-sac in Westbury-on-Trym woke to hear a loud blast like a gas boiler blowing up
The 19-year-old Muslim man was arrested yesterday afternoon and officers searching his house in a cul-de-sac in a suburban area of Bristol carried out the explosion in the early hours of this morning.
Avon and Somerset police have been joined by a team from the Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command as they continue to search the property.
A police source told the Daily Telegraph that the operation had come "out of the blue" and it was still unclear whether the man was working with others or whether he had any viable bomb-making equipment.
He has been detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 and is being questioned at an unidentified police station in Bristol.
advertisementAround 30 people from 14 neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution and just after 2am the Army bomb squad conducted a controlled explosion.
Jackie Roberts, Avon and Somerset Assistant Chief Constable, said police had received intelligence during the last 24 hours and had been conducting "covert enquiries" yesterday and last night which had led to the arrest.
She said the material discovered at the house had been sent off for scientific analysis.
"Public safety has been our paramount priority over the past 24 hours," Mrs Roberts added.
"We are very grateful for the co-operation of all the relevant agencies and of those people who have been inconvenienced by this operation.
"We would like to reassure people that this arrest has been made at this stage to prevent harm. This is likely to be a prolonged, complex and sensitive enquiry which may take some time.
"It is unlikely that those who have been evacuated will be able to return to their homes until much later today at the earliest but I am sure that they will understand that this inconvenience is to ensure their safety and welfare and I can only repeat we are extremely grateful for their co-operation."
Neighbours in the quiet cul-de-sac in Westbury-on-Trym, woke to hear a loud blast like a gas boiler blowing up during the night. The house, a nondescript 1950s red brick terraced house, is believed to be rented from the council.
The man under arrest had not been in the house long but neighbours described him as polite. One said he was heavily built and often seen wearing traditional Muslim dress and carrying a satchel.
Those who were not evacuated received letters through their doors from Avon and Somerset Police telling them of the arrest in connection with a "potentially serious criminal matter", although it did not mention terrorism.
The suspect device was detonated at 44 Comb Paddock
Police described the arrest as "a preventative measure" adding that the search was "critical".
Neighbour Margaret Ball, 66, said: "I just woke up to a dreadful bang last night. It was really out of ordinary.
"Initially I thought it was kids but then my son came rushing into the room and said 'Mum, there are police everywhere'.
"Then when I looked outside there was a huge commotion. The road was crammed full with police vans and cars."
She went on: "The explosion came from a house right at the end. I know the young Muslim who lives there, I saw him walking down the road last week in a linen cotton outfit with chiffon sides. There are some Muslims, but it is a predominantly white area.
"I've never heard of any terrorist activities or meetings happening here. The most you get is a few kids running around."
Farooq Siddique, of the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society (BMCS), said: "We have a long history of very good community relations here and people have worked very hard to keep it that way.
"The Muslim community supports the work of the police. Terrorism affects all of society and we all have to work against it."
He added: "I hope this is a false alarm but we must allow the police time to carry out their duties.
"The people I've spoken to already today are behind the police and hope that they can resolve this as quickly as possible."
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Teenager held on terror charges in Bristol - Telegraph
Teenager held on terror charges in Bristol
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