Ten men have been arrested as part of a counter-terrorism operation across the north west of England.

 

Addresses are being raided, including an internet cafe in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester and a guest house in Clitheroe, Lancashire.

 

Counter-terrorism officers also arrested two men at the main library at Liverpool John Moores University.

 

Officers from the North West Counter-Terrorism Unit carried out the raids with support from other forces.

 

Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Constabulary are helping carry out the series of raids which were launched on Wednesday afternoon.

 

It is thought the raids were brought forward following a security leak earlier on Wednesday.

 

Photographers caught Britain's most senior counter terrorism police officer, Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, clutching sensitive documents as he arrived at 10 Downing Street for a briefing.

 

Among the papers under his arm was a white document clearly marked "secret" and carrying an outline briefing on an ongoing counter-terrorism operation.

 

The information included the names of several senior officers, locations and details about the nature of the overseas threat.

 

On Wednesday evening he apologised, saying he "deeply regretted" leaving the document on show.

 

Students at Liverpool John Moores University said two men were walking towards the library when 14 armed police officers surrounded and arrested them.

 

BBC correspondent Nick Ravenscroft said a Greater Manchester Police spokesman would not comment when asked whether the police action was in response to a suspected terrorist operation in the UK or overseas.

 

Nor would he be drawn on whether the suspected threat was imminent, saying only that the police had taken action at an "appropriate" time, our correspondent said.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7990719.stm

:shocked2:

 

Just watched the video. Cant believe they got arrested outside our library.

:shocked2:

 

Just watched the video. Cant believe they got arrested outside our library.

 

Which library??:stunned:

Maybe you've come across one or two of them without realising it!:o

Aldham Robarts.

 

The article from the Echo sounded quite scary, I'm glad I wasn't there.

 

 

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/04/08/police-hold-men-at-gunpoint-in-a-liverpool-university-library-video-100252-23346296/

Aldham Robarts.

 

The article from the Echo sounded quite scary, I'm glad I wasn't there.

 

 

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/04/08/police-hold-men-at-gunpoint-in-a-liverpool-university-library-video-100252-23346296/

 

So when were you last there?

I was there a few hours before the arrests.

I was there a few hours before the arrests.

 

Wow!:stunned:

Had to get books out. I'm glad I decided to work at home...