UK soldier arrested under terrorism act over ‘nail bomb’
A serving UK soldier has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after a “suspicious device”, reported to be a nail bomb, was found at a house in Manchester.
The 19-year-old man was detained at an army base in Paderborn, Germany, following the discovery of the device at a terraced house in Salford last week.
He was flown to the UK where he was questioned by detectives in greater Manchester. He has been released on bail until January, pending further enquiries.
The counter-terrorism arrest is related to the discovery of the suspicious device at an address in Mellor Street, Eccles, on 28 November. Army bomb disposal experts were called to the address to dismantle the device.
Police arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of possession of abusive images.
They also revealed they had recovered “several items of literature which could be viewed by some as potentially inflammatory” – reportedly extreme right-wing leaflets.
‘Suspicious device’
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Police have arrested a man in connection with the investigation into a suspicious device found in Salford last Thursday.
“A 19-year-old man was on Monday 2 December 2013 arrested on suspicion of Section 57 of the Terrorism Act. He has now been bailed until January.
“Shortly before 1.30pm on Thursday 28 November 2013 a warrant was executed at an address on Mellor Street in Patricroft.
“A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of abusive images and was bailed pending further enquiries.
“During a search of the property on Mellor Street, a suspicious device was found. A cordon was put in place and a number of residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Specialist officers assessed the device and were later able to confirm it was no longer a threat to the community.”