Two men were arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts
(Picture: PA)Two men have been arrested over a suspected terror plot in London after police said they were “acting suspiciously” in a car.
The pair, who are both aged 34 and from east London, were stopped and arrested by armed officers in Pall Mall at 12.10am on Thursday.
Scotland Yard said officers searched the men and the vehicle after they were seen to be “acting suspiciously”.
The men were arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts contrary to section 5 of the Terrorist Act 2006, and are being held in custody at a central London police station.
Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Every day, police officers are on patrol across the Capital, watching for suspicious behaviour and stopping people they suspect may be involved in criminality.
“The public can help us continue to keep London safe by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious behaviour to police.
“Following the increase to the UK threat level from terrorism last week - as a precautionary measure in response to recent events in France and Austria - I would like to emphasise that the public should be alert but not alarmed."
The Met’s counter-terror unit are leading the investigation.
The UK terror threat level was last week escalated from “substantial” to “severe”, meaning that an attack on UK soil is now deemed “highly likely”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the decision was a “precautionary measure”, following Islamist attacks in Austria and France.
