'Suspect' material at Bristol home

Last Modified: 18 Apr 2008
Source: ITN

A second controlled explosion is to take place at an address in Bristol where "suspect" material was found.

A 19-year-old, who lived alone at the address, was arrested under the Terrorism Act on Thursday after covert inquiries prompted by an intelligence tip-off.

The first controlled explosion was carried out in the early hours of Friday morning at the address in Comb Paddock, a quiet cul-de-sac in the Westbury-on-Trym area of Bristol.

Around 30 people were evacuated from their homes during the operation, and Avon and Somerset Police said it was unlikely they would be allowed back before Saturday.

Police have now confirmed that "suspect" material has been found at the property, and a second controlled explosion will take place.

Earlier, police were granted a further seven days - until 1.40pm next Thursday - to hold the suspect, named locally as Andrew Ibrahim.

The teenager, who was understood to have recently converted to Islam, was arrested on Thursday after covert inquiries prompted by an intelligence tip-off.

Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts said: "This is a genuine incident which we are taking extremely seriously."

She said officers had not ruled out the possibility that he was acting with others.

She added: "Obviously we are in the early stages of this investigation, extensive inquiries are ongoing and obviously things will unfold as the days go by."

Police also revealed that the man had previously come into contact with officers.

Neighbours described the man, who they said had not been in the house long, as heavily built and often seen wearing traditional Muslim dress and carrying a satchel.

Others said they had confronted him about "loud chanting" just a few days ago.

Representatives of Bristol's Muslim community have voiced their support for police.

Local Muslim leader Farooq Siddique said Ibrahim was "not known" to Bristol's Muslim community.

He said: "This is obviously a very difficult time for the Muslim community in Bristol. It is a blow to community relationships in the city.

"We want the police to be allowed to do their jobs as simply and as quickly as possible. We need to be united in this."

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said officers from Scotland Yard Counter Terrorism Command travelled to the area to assist local officers but stressed that Avon and Somerset Police remained responsible for the inquiry.

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