Four arrested in Brighton and Eastbourne as part of right-wing terror case

Police have arrested four suspects from East Sussex as part of an investigation into extreme right-wing terrorism, officers say.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) say have been carrying out property searches after making arrests in Eastbourne and Brighton on Thursday.

Officers arrested a 27-year-old woman from Hailsham and three men aged 33, 36 and 41 from Eastbourne as part of the “intelligence-led operation”, a CTPSE spokesperson said.

Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Rayland says he is aware such investigations “can cause people in the local community to feel concerned”, but the arrests “form part of a planned operation to keep people in our communities safe”.

“People living in the local area may notice an increased police presence while search activity takes place, which is routine in cases of this nature,” he said.

All four suspects remain in police custody and were arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, the counter-terror unit said.

Under the act police can arrest people suspected of terrorism-related offences without a warrant, the Home Office says.

Suspects can be detained for up to 14 days.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East is leading this investigation with support from Sussex Police, Mr Rayland said.

“Please speak to a police officer if you have any concerns or any information which may be relevant,” he added.