An investigation by West Midlands Police in England led to five premeditated arrests between April 14 and April 15 in connection with the Paris and Brussels terror attacks.
On April 14, three men, ages 26, 40, and 59 and a 29-year-old woman were apprehended in Birmingham. The following morning, a 26-year-old man was also arrested at Gatwick Airport in London.
Authorities say the people arrested posed no immediate risks, nor had any attacks planned, but the arrests were intelligence-based and precautionary. All five are being held for questioning.
West Midlands authorities told The Guardian they’ve been working closely with officials in Belgium and France to “address any associated threat to the U.K. following the attacks in Europe.”
A leader of the counter-terrorism efforts in the West Midlands told The Guardian:
“This action forms part of an extensive investigation by West Midlands counter terrorism unit, together with the wider counter terrorism network, MI5 and international partners including Belgian and French authorities to address any associated threat to the U.K. following the attacks in Europe.”
West Midlands Police said the investigation is ongoing as they continue to search Birmingham.
