Controlled blast after man held

POLICE are questioning a teenage terror suspect after carrying out a controlled explosion at his home this morning.

The suspect was named as Andrew Ibrahim, a British Muslim convert.

Around 30 people were evacuated from houses in Comb Paddock, a quiet cul-de-sac in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, as officers searched the property after a “covert” operation prompted by intelligence.
A bomb disposal team carried out a controlled explosion in the property at a 1950s red brick terraced house, at around 2am.
Neighbours who were not evacuated said they heard a loud blast like a gas boiler blowing up during the night.

But they got up this morning to find letters on their doormats from Avon and Somerset Police telling them of the arrest in connection with a “potentially serious criminal matter”, although it did not mention terrorism.
Police described the arrest as “a preventative measure” adding that the search was “critical”.
Locals said the man under arrest had not been in the house long but described him as polite.
One said he was heavily built and often seen wearing traditional Muslim dress and carrying a satchel.

The 19-year-old is being held at an undisclosed police station in the area under theTerrorism Act 2000.
Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts said today: “It was a controlled explosion and the materials will be sent off for analysis.
“We responded to intelligence given to us in the last 24 hours.”
She warned: “This is likely to be a prolonged, complex and sensitive inquiry which may take some time... We would like to reassure people that this arrest has been made to prevent harm."
She added: “It is unlikely that those who have been evacuated will be able to return to their homes until much later today at the earliest.”

Neighbour Sheila Cook was among those who heard the explosion.
She said: “I went outside and found the whole police force there and they just told me to get back inside. When I woke up this morning there was a letter telling me they had arrested someone and it was part of an ongoing investigation and that is all I know.”

Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts said a covert operation got under way after the police received intelligence.

Bomb disposal experts in Bristol are to carry out a second controlled explosion at a terror suspect's home after discovering more "suspect" materials.

Bomb disposal experts in Bristol have carried out a third controlled explosion at the home of a man arrested under the Terrorism Act.