Four men arrested earlier this month as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into a suspected plot to target a premises in the UK have now been released from custody, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Saturday.

The men, all Iranian nationals, were among five individuals arrested on 3 May 2025 during coordinated raids in London, Swindon, Stockport, Rochdale, and Manchester.

Arrests and Initial Allegations

The arrests followed intelligence-led concerns regarding an alleged terrorist plot targeting an unnamed premises. Police say the investigation was part of a pre-planned operation and not in response to an imminent threat to the public.

The arrested men were identified as:

• [A] 29-year-old, Swindon
• [B] 46-year-old, west London
• [C] 29-year-old, Stockport
• [D] 40-year-old, Rochdale
• [E] 24-year-old, Manchester

Four of the men ([A]–[D]) were detained under the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006, and held under warrants of further detention. They were released on 17 May with no charges. The fifth man ([E]) was arrested under Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and remains on bail with conditions.

Met Police Statement

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, commented:

“We made these arrests due to concerns about a suspected plot to target a specific premises. Since those arrests, detectives have been working to assess all the evidence we’ve gathered and to question the men. They are now being released from custody, but our investigation remains active and ongoing.”

He added that the Met is supporting the intended target of the alleged plot and emphasised the complexity of the investigation.

“We will not hesitate to take further action if we believe there is any imminent threat to the public.”

Searches and Community Impact

Police searches have been carried out at multiple locations in Greater Manchester, London, Swindon, and High Wycombe. Authorities have praised local communities for their cooperation and resilience during the disruptive but necessary counter-terrorism activity.

Public Vigilance Urged

The Met continues to call on the public to be alert but not alarmed. Anyone with concerns or suspicions is urged to report via:

• Call: 0800 789 321
• Online: www.gov.uk/ACT

Commander Murphy concluded:

“Information from the public is crucial to our work. If you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and report it.”

Broader Context

This incident comes amid ongoing tensions in UK-Iran diplomatic relations, with previous allegations of Iranian-linked threats and surveillance operations in the country. The National Security Act 2023 and TACT 2006 provide UK law enforcement with broad powers to respond to emerging threats.

The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command remains one of the most active units in Europe, responding to over 800 live investigations at any given time.