Blackburn Boy Arrested Over Oz Terror Plot

A 14-year-old boy from Blackburn, Lancashire, has been arrested in connection with a terrorist plot in Australia, according to police.

The teenager was held on Saturday - in an arrest timed to coincide with police in Melbourne swooping on five suspects, in what they claimed was an operation to foil an Islamic State-inspired plot to attack a First World War memorial event.

He was held on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.

UK police said they had uncovered communication between a teenager in Blackburn and a man in Australia.

The youth had previously been arrested on suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism on 2 April, following examination of a number of electronic devices.

The North West Counter Terrorism Unit said information gathered as part of their investigation had helped authorities in Australia to disrupt the alleged ANZAC day plot there.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole, from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "We have uncovered communication between an individual in the North West and a man in Australia to what we believe is a credible terrorist threat.

"As soon as this information came to light we acted quickly with the relevant authorities here and abroad and this has resulted with officers from the NWCTU arresting a teenager.

"The nature of the communication is currently under full assessment and subject to investigation.

"We are continuing to work closely with the police in Australia and Lancashire and I want to reassure the public that we have not uncovered an imminent attack in the UK and there is no immediate threat towards the communities of Lancashire, the North West and the UK.

"It is important to remind communities and families to bring to our attention anyone they perceive may be vulnerable or in danger of escalating towards terrorism. We have the ability to engage and support individuals where necessary."

A small team of UK counter terror police is now in Australia working on the case.

Australian police said terrorists had been planning to attack police officers at an ANZAC memorial event later this week.

Officials referred to possible attacks using "edged weapons" but Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Neil Gaughan said there was no evidence to suggest a planned beheading.

One of the arrested men, Sevdet Besim, 18, appeared briefly in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act.

In a joint statement, Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police said they "can confirm a link between the arrest of a 14-year-old boy in Blackburn, Lancashire, in the United Kingdom on Saturday with Operation Rising, a Joint Counter-Terrorism Team operation."

It said: "Investigators received information from UK authorities after they allegedly uncovered communications between the teenager and a man in Australia.

"The nature of the communication will form part of the investigation and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment further."

ANZAC Day is an annual day of remembrance for servicemen and women from Australia and New Zealand.

A series of events are planned to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, Turkey.

The Met Police said forces have been asked to review security at ANZAC events in the UK in light of the alleged plot in Australia.