Twelve Arrested in Investigation of Threat to Suffolk Islamic Festival

Twelve people were arrested in connection with a suspected right-wing terror threat against the UK Ijtima festival at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk. The gathering, which drew 15,000 attendees over the weekend, ended earlier than planned after police received information about a potential serious threat.

Suffolk Police declared a major incident early on Sunday morning and coordinated a multi-agency response to manage the departure of attendees.

The declaration was withdrawn on July 13. Counter Terrorism Policing London led the investigation and determined the plot was extreme right-wing terrorism-related. On July 12 officers detained a 27-year-old man in Ipswich, a 35-year-old man in Greater Manchester, two 42-year-old men in Essex, and five men aged 27, 29, 55, 60 and 82 in Surrey.

On July 13 a 33-year-old man was arrested in southeast London, a 31-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman in east London. Eight of the twelve were held under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Three men from Surrey faced additional conspiracy-to-murder charges, and the woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that police action "undoubtedly saved lives" and urged the public to stand against hatred. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X that he would not tolerate attacks on Muslim communities or any form of anti-Muslim hatred.

Assistant Chief Constable Alice Scott of Suffolk Constabulary said a visible police presence would remain in the area over the coming days.

Enquiries continue.