UK arrests 12 in far-right terror plot targeting Suffolk Muslim gathering; event evacuated early

The arrests

Twelve people were arrested on Sunday and Monday in connection with what police described as an "extreme right-wing" terrorism threat against the UK Ijtima, a large Islamic gathering at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk. The detainees include eleven men aged between 27 and 82 and one 48-year-old woman. Arrests took place in Greater Manchester, London, Essex, Ipswich, and Surrey. Eight of the men were detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of terrorism, while three were held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. The woman was arrested in east London on suspicion of assisting an offender. One of those held, an 82-year-old man, has since been released on bail; the others remain in custody. None had been formally charged at the time of reporting.

The event and police response

The UK Ijtima, organised by the Tablighi Jamaat movement, ran from 9 to 12 July at Shrubland Hall near Ipswich. Attendance figures vary between about 10,000 according to the Financial Times and an estimated 15,000 reported by Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and Europa Press. Suffolk Police advised organisers to close the event earlier than planned on Sunday after the threat emerged. A major incident was declared, and a multi-agency response coordinated the safe departure of attendees. Deputy Chief Constable Alice Scott of Suffolk Police said the alert was activated early Sunday and lifted early Monday. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, confirmed searches at multiple addresses across the UK were ongoing.

After becoming aware of a potential serious threat towards the Islamic event in Suffolk, we have moved extremely quickly to make a number of arrests in various locations across the country.

Official reactions

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the police action had "undoubtedly saved lives" and acknowledged the deep concern the news would cause among British Muslims. She called for unity against hatred and for a country "open, generous and tolerant to all our communities." Flanagan thanked Suffolk Police for their support and the event organisers for their cooperation, adding that police "will not hesitate to act if there is any potential threat, no matter who or what the potential target may be."

I know this is deeply concerning news for British Muslims. We must stand against hatred and we must unite around our shared belief in a country that is open, generous and tolerant to all our communities.

Broader context

The arrests come amid rising hate crime figures in the UK. The Crown Prosecution Service reported more than 4,350 hate crime cases referred by police between July and September 2025, a 14.7% increase on the previous quarter, the highest number in its history. Charities have noted a significant rise in reports of Islamophobia and antisemitism in recent years, against a backdrop of heightened tension over immigration and far-right political activity. The Guardian noted that the intelligence leading to the arrests surfaced over the weekend, with sources indicating the intervention came late while the event was already under way. Organisers told the Ipswich Star the gathering had been the subject of misinformation on social media, and roads were closed amid fears people planned to travel to the event to disrupt it.

What comes next

Police said there was no evidence of a wider threat to the public connected to this case, though searches of properties linked to those arrested continued. Suffolk Police pledged an increased visible presence to reassure local communities. No charges have been filed, and the investigation remains active. Flanagan stated that counter-terrorism officers would pursue any potential threat regardless of the target.