Police shoot man in anti-terror raid

Gilps · June 2, 2006

A man has been shot by police during a raid carried out under the Terrorism Act, Scotland Yard has said.

He was taken to a nearby hospital after police searched a house in Forest Gate, east London. His injuries are not life-threatening.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested and is currently in custody at a central London police station.

The operation, early on Friday morning, was not linked to the London bombings of July 2005, police added.

The decision to launch the raid followed discussions between MI5, the anti-terrorist branch and the Health Protection Agency.

Roads closed

Police officers in protective clothing have moved into the terraced house in Lansdown Road in what is being described as a "precautionary measure".

Several people who were in the house at the time of the raid have been moved to other premises. They have not been arrested.

Lansdown Road, and neighbouring Rothsay Road and Prestbury Road, are all currently closed.

"At this stage there is nothing to suggest members of the public in the immediate area are at risk," Scotland Yard said in a statement.

"If we believe there is a potential risk, appropriate action will be taken and advice issued."

Home Office spokesman

According to BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw, the raids follow an investigation into international terrorism targeting the UK.

Security sources have described the Forest Gate raid as "potentially significant" and said it followed months of surveillance.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been informed and is investigating.

An IPCC spokesman said: "I can confirm that the incident was immediately referred to the IPCC and we have deployed two senior investigators.

"We can confirm that the man's injuries are not life-threatening."

Also at the scene were explosives officers and the London Fire Brigade, together with firearms officers, territorial support officers and members of the anti-terrorist branch.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The home secretary has been kept fully informed of all developments since the operation began in the early hours of the morning."

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was briefed on the shooting this morning, his spokesman said.

One neighbour said he had seen a man wearing a bloodstained T-shirt being carried out of the house after the raid.

He said the operation early this morning had involved "the most police I've seen in my life".

Stevie H · June 2, 2006

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