British police arrested twelve people across England over an alleged extreme right-wing terrorist threat that forced the early closure of the UK Ijtima Islamic gathering at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk. Authorities declared a major incident on July 12 before standing it down after assessing the threat, allowing 15,000 attendees to depart safely.
Commander Helen Flanagan confirmed the investigation concerns right-wing terrorism. Eight men remain in custody under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act, having been detained across Surrey, Essex, Ipswich, Greater Manchester, and London on July 12 and 13. Three men, aged 55, 60, and 82, were held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, while a 48-year-old woman faces allegations of assisting an offender.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the police response to a credible threat saved lives. The UK threat level remains severe, with officers maintaining a visible presence near the Suffolk venue in the coming days.