Terror Arrests: Five Men From London Arrested Near Sellafield Nuclear Site In Cumbria

1:26pm UK, Tuesday May 03, 2011

Five men are being held under the Terrorism Act after being arrested close to the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria.

Sky sources said it is understood the men were British Asians and were taking photographs of the plant.

They were detained at about 4.30pm on Monday after a stop check on a vehicle by officers. Part of a road was closed.

The five, all in their 20s and from London, were held overnight at a police station in Carlisle under section 41 of the Terrorism act.

The investigation is being led by counter-terrorism officers in Manchester.

Sky's home affairs correspondent Mark White said: "From what I understand there was nothing found on them that would give immediate cause for concern that there was any potential attack."

Highly dangerous nuclear materials are contained at Sellafield

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the investigation was in its early stages and no further information would be released yet.

The location and timing of the incident, which came hours after news broke that Osama bin Laden had been killed by US special forces, is likely to cause concern.

Police said there was no evidence of a connection to the events in Pakistan, but the Government has urged the public to remain vigilant.

Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 allows a police officer to arrest any person who is "reasonably suspected" of being a terrorist.

The Sellafield site - responsible for decommissioning and reprocessing nuclear waste, and fuel manufacturing - is heavily protected by private security and officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, some of whom are armed.

via news.sky.com