Terror arrests close to Sellafield nuclear plant

<!–

–>

They are being questioned under the Terrorism Act after being arrested close to the nuclear site in Cumbria, within hours of news breaking of Osama bin Laden‘s death in Pakistan.

The men, all in their twenties, were detained on Monday after a vehicle was stopped by officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

At this stage we are not aware of any connection to recent events in Pakistan. Police spokesperson

All those detained are from London, although Channel 4 News undestands they are all originally from Bangladesh. They were held in police custody overnight before being taken to Manchester where an investigation has begun by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit.

The Sellafield site handles highly dangerous nuclear material.

Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 allows a police officer to arrest any person whom they “reasonably suspects” to be a terrorist.

The Sellafield site on the Cumbrian coast is protected by both private security and officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, some of whom are armed.

A statement from Cumbria Police said: “At 4.32pm yesterday, Monday 2 May, police officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary conducted a stop check on a vehicle close to the Sellafield site in west Cumbria.

“As a result, police officers from Cumbria Constabulary arrested five men from London, all aged in their 20s, under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act.

“They were taken to police custody in Carlisle overnight and are being transported to Manchester this morning.

“The investigation is being led by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit.

“A road closure affected the area for a short period of time.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the investigation is in its early stages and no further information will be released yet.

A statement added: “At this stage we are not aware of any connection to recent events in Pakistan.”