Man shot by police in Forest Gate anti-terror raid

1:55pm Friday 2nd June 2006

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A MAN shot by police during a massive raid in east London this morning has been arrested on suspicion of instigating acts of terrorism.

The 23-year-old man was arrested at Royal London Hospital, where he is being treated for his gun shot wound, on suspicion of "the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism."

Earlier this morning a 20-year-old man was arrested following the raid, he is being questioned at Paddington Green Police Station.

Officers, including some wearing protective bio-chemical clothing, stormed into the house on Lansdown Road, Forest Gate, at 4am.

Police said the protective clothing was a "precautionary measure". The Health Protection Agency, which protects the public from infectious diseases, said the risk to local residents was "very low".

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, head of the Met's anti-terrorist branch, said the operation, which involved 250 officers, was in response to "specific intelligence".

"Because of the very specific nature of the intelligence, we planned an operation that was designed to mitigate any threat to the public either from firearms or from hazardous substances," he said.

"Some officers were armed, and others equipped with protective clothing."

The shot suspect's injuries are not life-threatening.

Mr Clarke said the search of the home would take several days.

"I am not in a position to discuss details of the intelligence... however, what I can tell you is that the intelligence was such that it demanded an intensive investigation and response," he said.

"The purpose of the investigation, after ensuring public safety, is to prove or disprove the intelligence that we have received."

The raid followed a joint intelligence operation between the Met, MI5 and the Health Protection Agency.

The Home Secretary John Reid and the acting Prime Minister John Prescott have been kept informed of developments since the operation began.

Several other people found at the house have been moved to a different location, but have not been arrested.

Rothsay Road, Lansdown Road and Prestbury Road were closed this morning.

The ethnically-mixed working class area has a large Pakistani and Bengali population.

One local resident, Paul, said he was shocked by the shooting.

"I know people that know the man that was shot," he said. "It will cause a lot of trouble round here, especially if he did not do it.

"Everyone gets on round here. Everyone knows everyone else around here and no-one suspected anything.

"People cannot believe it. You never do when it is your neighbourhood."

Another local resident who did not want to be named said the community was "angry".

While Frederick, from Katherine Road, said: "We need the police here. We have a good relationship with them, and they have always been good to us."

The Met said they would "fully support" an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The shooting is the first in an anti-terrorist operation since Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes was killed by police at Stockwell Tube Station in July last year.

The raid was not linked to the July 7 London Bombings. The search warrant was carried out under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Local Safer Neighbourhood's officers are working with affected local residents and members of the community to provide support.

• Did you see this morning's raid? Tell us at newsdesk@london.newsquest.co.uk

Additional reporting by David Williams