Counter terror police arrest five men after storming home in Newcastle

Counter terror police arrest five men on suspicion of explosive offences after storming home in Newcastle

The five men arrested, who are 50, 32, 29, 28 and 26, are all from Newcastle
The case was referred to terror police because of their ‘specialist knowledge’
Police said they recognised ‘concerns’ but said there was ‘no immediate threat’

By Tim Stickings For Mailonline

Published: 15:23 BST, 24 August 2018 | Updated: 16:17 BST, 24 August 2018

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences after counter-terror police searched a house in Newcastle yesterday.

The men, all from Newcastle, are aged between 26 and 50 and the case was referred to the region’s terror police because of their ‘specialist knowledge’.

Police said they recognised the raid would spark ‘concerns’ but said there was ‘no immediate threat’ to public safety.

The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Police and the arrests were made following a search of a residential address on Thursday, police said.

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences after counter-terror police searched a house in Newcastle yesterday (stock photo)

A spokeswoman for the Counter Terrorism policing unit said: ‘Five men from Newcastle, aged 50, 32, 29, 28 and 26 years have been arrested on suspicion of explosives offences by officers from Northumbria Police, supported by CT Policing North East.

‘A search of a residential address in the West End area of Newcastle has concluded.’

A spokesman added: ‘We recognise that people may have concerns about an investigation of this kind but we want to reassure the public that there is no immediate threat to their safety.

‘Officers will be on patrol across the west end as normal and if anyone has any concerns we would encourage you to speak to those officers.’