Terror police arrest in Blackburn

A 25-year-old man has been arrested in Blackburn under the Terrorism Act, Lancashire Police said.

He was arrested at 0640 BST and an address in Whalley Range is being searched by specialist officers.

The arrest was part of an investigation by Lancashire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Counter Terrorism Unit.

BBC News has been told the arrest is part of an ongoing inquiry into threats made against Gordon Brown and Tony Blair at the beginning of this year.

Ch Supt Andy Rhodes said police would "endeavour to carry out any searches as quickly as possible", but inquiries can be "complex and may take time".

"This is a very sensitive time for all our communities and we are working hard to ensure everyone is kept up to date with as much information as we can give," he said.

He thanked locals for their co-operation and said he would "ensure people are kept updated in relation to the investigation".

Police Community Support Officers have been distributing leaflets explaining the anti-terror operation to locals.

Threats against the prime minister and his predecessor were made in January on a recognised jihadi website, by a group calling itself "al-Qaeda in Britain".

They also demanded the withdrawal of British forces from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the release of Muslim prisoners from Belmarsh prison.

Police said three men arrested on 14 August as part of the same inquiry remained in custody.

The men are aged 21, 22 and 23, are being questioned after two were arrested at Manchester Airport and one in Accrington.