UPDATE: Investigation into suspected threat to event in Suffolk

A statement tonight from Metropolitan Police  about the twelve (later 13) men and women, some elderly, some nowhere  near the event, arrested last weekend.

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) previously opened an investigation into a suspected threat against the UK Ijtima event held at Shrubland Hall, Suffolk from 9-12 July.

Twelve people [A-L] were arrested in connection with the investigation on Sunday 12 and Monday 13 July. Four people [I-L] were previously released on bail pending further enquiries. Eight others [A-H] were detained by police under section 41 of the Terrorism Act, meaning they could be detained up to seven days from their arrest.

A thirteenth man [M] was arrested on Thursday, 16 July on suspicion of an offence under section 5 of the Terrorism Act, 2006.

Officers from CTP London have been carrying out extensive enquiries over the past few days, which has included searching several residential addresses and vehicles, and they have seized more than 35 digital devices.

On Saturday, 18 July seven men [A, B, C, D, F, G, H] were released from custody without charge. Another man [M] has been released on bail with strict conditions pending further enquiries.

Following the recovery of certain items during searches carried out as part of the investigation, a 42-year-old man [E] has been charged with two offences linked to possession of offensive weapons – namely extendable batons – as well as possession of a stun gun. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 20 July.

It is important to note that the items and the offences he has been charged with are not believed to be connected to the alleged threat being investigated.

So all that talk of terrorism and Conspiracy to Murder was flannel, and the best that can show is one chap in possession of “offensive weapons – namely extendable batons – as well as possession of a stun gun.” possession of which had nothing to do with the drone surveillance of the ijtima.  Two England flags and a photography drone do not a terror attack make.