2009-03-30
An alleged plot to disrupt the G20 summit in London has been uncovered after Devon and Cornwall police arrested five people under anti-terrorism laws.
By Gordon Rayner and Duncan Gardham
Three men and two women, who were held by armed police in and around Plymouth, thought to be all British, are said to have been discovered with imitation firearms and what is thought to be a flare-gun. Suspected extremist material was also found.
But police have played down the suggestion that there may have been a plot to cause death or injuries, suggesting instead that the firearms which were allegedly seized were intended to cause “disruption”.
All five are being detained at a secure police station in Cornwall.
One source said: "The people have been held under Anti Terror laws and are being held at a police station in Cornwall.
“My information is that firearms have been found and political ‘manuals’.
“It appears these people and their arrests are connected to the G20 summit in London this week.
“The initial arrests of four of them appear to have been pure chance and then a fifth individual was held by police this morning.” A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police confirmed arrests have been made.
A formal statement is expected to be released later today about the arrests.
A police source said: "Three men and two women are being held.
“Items have been seized which would come under the Explosives Act.
“It would seem they were in possession of material which would not have the potential for causing injury so much as disruption.”
Thursday’s G20 summit, to be held at the ExCeL arena in London’s Docklands, has been described by Scotland Yard as the capital’s most challenging police operation in a decade.
More than 3,000 police officers will be on duty when the leaders of the world’s 20 richest countries, including President Obama, descend on London, with up to 100,000 protestors expected to stage rallies and marches during the week.
Police fear the rallies will be hijacked by anarchists intent on sparking violence and riots, with thousands of hardline protesterrs expected to fly in from abroad.