UK: "Nothing to do with Islam"

 * Surely not. Otherwise the press would tell us. Or would they?

U.K.: Five arrested in “counterterror” raids

No word on whether those arrested were disgruntled Methodists or something else. But there is the detail that “key community leaders in the relevant areas have been contacted.”

“Five arrested under Terrorism Act,” from The Press Association, via JW

Orwellian conditions in the UK:

Five men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act, police said.

The men, aged 29 to 36, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism, West Midlands Police said.

Officers swooped on five residential addresses in Birmingham at about 6am on Tuesday.

A further two business properties were also searched following a “long and complex investigation” by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit.

A police spokeswoman said the arrests were not related to any immediate plot or threat to public safety.

Officers later confirmed that the arrests took place at five addresses in the Sparkhill, Ward End, Hodge Hill, Bordesley Green and Aston areas of Birmingham.

The police spokeswoman said: “The properties are now being searched.

“As part of the investigation, a further residential address in Stechford, Birmingham, and two business properties in central Birmingham and Kenilworth, Warwickshire, are also being searched.”

Police are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to the arrests.

The spokeswoman added: “The families of the men are being supported by specially trained officers, and key community leaders in the relevant areas have been contacted.”