Police given more time to question men over Islamic event threat

Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBC Published 14 July 2026, 16:55 BST Updated 1 minute ago Police have been given more time to question the men arrested in connection with an alleged right-wing terror threat to an Islamic festival in Suffolk. The UK Ijtima event at Shrubland Hall, in Barham, near Ipswich, was shut down early on Sunday after Suffolk Police received information about a "possible threat". On Monday, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) confirmed 12 people had been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences, conspiracy to murder or assisting an offender. CTP London Commander Helen Flanagan said officers had been given up to seven days to question the eight people arrested under the Terrorism Act. They are: Two men, aged 27 and 29, who were arrested in Surrey Two men, both 42, who are being held in Essex Two men, 31 and 33, who are being held in London One man, 27, who was arrested in Ipswich One man, 35, who was arrested in Greater Manchester Three men, aged 55, 60 and 82, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder have been released on bail. A 48-year-old woman, who was detained on suspicion of assisting an offender, has also been released on bail. Image source, Mousumi Bakshi/BBC Image caption, The Shrubland Estate hosts weddings and private events The event, described as being an "opportunity for reflection and spiritual renewal" for followers of Islam, started on Friday and was meant to end on Sunday afternoon. It was instead shut down at 07:00 BST on Sunday after police informed organisers during the early hours of a "credible threat". Armed officers were among those who went to the scene, closed roads and helped as many as 15,000 guests from around the world evacuate the site. A major incident was declared and CTP confirmed that the investigation was "right-wing terrorism related". Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below. Get in touch Your Voice Contact form Contact form Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds , Facebook , external , Instagram , external and X , external . Related topics Suffolk Police Counter-terrorism Ipswich Essex London More on this story Alleged right-wing terror threat leaves village reeling Published 10 hours ago Twelve arrested over threat to Islamic event Published 1 day ago Islamic event ended early after 'possible threat' Published 1 day ago