Five men and a woman suspected of terrorism offences have been arrested in London as part of an intelligence-led investigation involving MI5.
One of the six, who are aged between 18 and 30, was Tasered by police. Eight homes in west, east and north London and one business are being searched.
It is understood the arrests relate to a possible plot involving Islamist extremists, with potential UK targets.
One of those arrested in Newham is an ex-Police Community Support Officer.
Three of the men are brothers and a married couple have also been arrested.
The Metropolitan Police said the arrests were not linked to the Olympics or Paralympics.
Security sources are describing the arrests as “significant”, but there is no suggestion at the moment of any imminent attack, BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says.
It is understood that police involved in the long-running operation decided to act on Thursday on the grounds of public safety.
The UK terrorism threat level is unchanged from “substantial”, which means a terrorist attack is a “strong possibility”. There are two higher levels – “severe”, meaning an attack is “highly likely”, and “critical”, meaning an attack is “expected imminently”.
Some – if not all – of those arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism are British nationals, our correspondent adds.
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