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Police given more time to question men over Islamic event threat

A police van and a police car parked next to each other.

14 July 2026, 16:55 BST

Updated 1 hour ago

Police have been given more time to question the men arrested in connection with an alleged right-wing terror threat to an Islamic festival in Suffolk.

The UK Ijtima event at Shrubland Hall, in Barham, near Ipswich, was shut down early on Sunday after Suffolk Police received information about a “possible threat”.

On Monday, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) confirmed 12 people had been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences, conspiracy to murder or assisting an offender.

CTP London Commander Helen Flanagan said officers had been given up to seven days to question the eight people arrested under the Terrorism Act.

They are:

Two men, aged 27 and 29, who were arrested in Surrey

Two men, both 42, who are being held in Essex

Two men, 31 and 33, who are being held in London

One man, 27, who was arrested in Ipswich

One man, 35, who was arrested in Greater Manchester

Three men, aged 55, 60 and 82, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder have been released on bail.

A 48-year-old woman, who was detained on suspicion of assisting an offender, has also been released on bail.

As part of the investigation, residential properties and a number of vehicles were searched, and more than 35 digital devices were recovered. A vehicle was also seized.

Flanagan said: “We are very aware this will be concerning to the public, [and] particularly the Muslim community given the potential target of this threat.

“I would like to praise the support of the event organisers for their support and their understanding whilst this investigation has been ongoing.

“I also hope that our response reassures the public that policing stands ready to respond and take action to keep all of our communities and the public safe.”

‘Credible threat’

The event, described as being an “opportunity for reflection and spiritual renewal” for followers of Islam, started on Friday and was meant to end on Sunday afternoon.

It was instead shut down at 07:00 BST on Sunday after police informed organisers during the early hours of a “credible threat”.

Armed officers were among those who went to the scene, closed roads and helped as many as 15,000 guests from around the world evacuate the site.

A major incident was declared and CTP confirmed that the investigation was “right-wing terrorism related”.

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