Tri-Service
Royal Marine Arrested On Suspicion Of Terror Offences
A serving Royal Marine has been arrested in Somerset on suspicion of terrorism offences.
Ciaran Maxwell, 30, from Larne, was detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command.
They were working with Avon and Somerset and Devon and Cornwall Police.
Maxwell was arrested on on suspicion of being involved in the preparation of acts of terrorism under section 5 of the Terrorism Act.
The Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
"We are aware of a police investigation involving a serving member of the armed forces under the 2000 Terrorism Act and will assist this investigation fully. It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing investigation."
It is understood the arrest is linked to two suspected dissident republican arsenals uncovered in forest parks in Northern Ireland earlier this year.
Met Police say:
"The arrest was pre-planned and intelligence-led as part of an investigation into Northern Ireland related terrorism being led by SO15 in collaboration with Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the South West Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit. No armed police were involved in today's arrest."
"The public can be reassured that there is no intelligence to suggest an immediate threat to our communities."
The police and security services ask the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
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