By SCM I Reporter I 13 July 2026
COUNTER-TERROR cops have smashed a suspected extreme right-wing assassination plot after launching a series of dramatic nationwide raids.
A total of 12 people—including an 82-year-old pensioner—have been arrested after a “potential serious threat” was directed at a massive Islamic festival in the British countryside.
More than 15,000 Muslims had to be evacuated early from the UK Ijtima event at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk after police declared a “major incident” on Sunday morning.
Armed officers and counter-terrorism specialists moved “extremely quickly” to swoop on suspects across England, executing warrants in London, Surrey, Essex, Greater Manchester, and Ipswich.
The drama unfolded over the weekend at the historic Shrubland Hall estate, where thousands of worshippers had gathered for the peaceful religious festival.
As intelligence swirled of an imminent far-right threat, police chiefs made the dramatic late-night call to declare a major incident. Attendees were told the event was being cut short on Sunday, July 12, sparking a massive, tense operation to safely disperse the 15,000-strong crowd.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, revealed that cops had to move at lightning speed to neutralise the danger.
”After becoming aware of a potential serious threat towards the Islamic event in Suffolk, we have moved extremely quickly to make a number of arrests in various locations across the country,” Commander Flanagan said.
She added: “I know this news may be concerning to the public and particularly those in the Muslim community, given that we believe the intended target was an Islamic event. But as we have shown, we will not hesitate to act if there is any potential threat, no matter who or what the potential target may be.”
The sheer scale of the operation has stunned communities across the UK. A network of anti-terror units—including CTP London, the Eastern Region Special Operational Unit (ERSOU), CTP North West, and CTP South East—coordinated the simultaneous strikes.
The ages and backgrounds of those detained have sent shockwaves through the public. Among those cuffed by detectives are:
An 82-year-old man arrested in Surrey on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
A 48-year-old woman held in East London on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Eight men, aged between 27 and 42, detained under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The elderly suspect has since been released on bail, while eleven others remain locked up in high-security police stations across the country.
Forensic teams are currently tearing through a number of addresses linked to the suspects, hunting for weapons, digital evidence, and extremist literature.
In Suffolk, local residents woke up to a visible ring of steel around the idyllic Shrubland Hall grounds. Assistant Chief Constable Alice Scott, of Suffolk Constabulary, confirmed that a multi-agency response had to be rapidly assembled to manage the fallout.
”The situation was declared a major incident early on Sunday morning with a multi-agency response convened to ensure a safe and properly co-ordinated departure from the event of the 15,000 attendees,” she said.
ACC Scott praised the festival-goers for their calm response to the sudden disruption, adding: “This was a complex and fast-moving scenario with the priority of all the agencies working together to ensure the safety of all the attendees. We can reassure the public that everyone left the location safely.”
While the major incident status was officially stood down on Monday morning, terrified locals have been promised a highly visible police presence over the coming days to provide reassurance.
The terrifying plot has sparked fresh fears over the rise of extreme right-wing terrorism in the UK. Britain’s terror threat level currently sits at SEVERE, meaning an attack is highly likely.
Police are desperately urging the British public to remain hyper-vigilant in the wake of the foiled Shrubland Hall plot. Cops have stressed that while the immediate danger has been contained, the threat remains active.
Commander Flanagan warned: “Sadly, this activity is a stark reminder that the threat level in the UK is at ‘severe’, so we urge the public to remain vigilant and report anything if it doesn’t look or feel right.”
Anyone with information or concerns is urged to report them immediately online at www.gov.uk/ACT or call the police in total confidence on 0800 789 321. In an absolute emergency, always dial 999.
