Metropolitan Police officers are currently on site at the Kurdish Community Centre and are expected to remain for two weeks

Six arrests have been made today (Wednesday 27th) as part of a Metropolitan Police investigation that is focusing on activity at a Harringay community centre.

The five men and one woman were arrested at separate addresses across London early this morning. They have all been detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 and are in custody at a London police station. A simultaneous counter terrorism raid was launched at the Kurdish Community Centre in Portland Gardens, near Green Lanes, that remains ongoing.

It is all part of a probe into suspected activity linked to the proscribed terror group, the Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the ‘PKK’.

There is not believed to be any imminent threat to the public linked to the matters under investigation.

The search at the community centre is expected to last up to two weeks. Both the centre and the surrounding area have been closed to the public while officers continue their work there. The Met says additional local officers will be carrying out patrols and there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, with officers available to speak with any members of the public who may be concerned.

Acting Commander Helen Flanagan, from the Met’s counter terrorism command, said: “This activity has come about following a significant investigation and operation into activity we believe is linked to the terrorist group PKK. These are targeted arrests of those we suspect of being involved in terrorist activity linked to the group.

“I hope that these arrests show that we will not tolerate any sort of terrorist activity and that we will take action where we believe there is harm being caused to communities here in the UK or elsewhere.”

Acting Commander Flanagan added: “This investigation and activity is about protecting all of our communities, but particularly those in our Turkish and Kurdish communities. I would urge anyone who thinks they may have been affected or targeted by those linked to the PKK to get in touch.

“We are also very mindful that closing the community centre may cause inconvenience to some people. Officers will be working as quickly as they can, but these are very serious allegations so it is important that we take care in identifying and gathering as much evidence as we can.”

Ishak Milani, of the Kurdish People’s Assembly in the UK and a member of the community centre, has criticised the arrests as an attack on Kurds and described the raid as “unjust and heavy-handed”. Last year, Milani threatened legal action against the police after officers showed up to an event at the centre without a warrant.

Anyone with concerns or information relating to the investigation or activities of the PKK can contact police in confidence on 0800 789 321 or by visiting gov.uk/ACT.

Update (28th November):

A seventh arrest was made last night (Wednesday). Acting Commander Helen Flanagan from the Met’s counter terrorism command said: “I want to stress that [Wednesday’s] arrests are targeted specifically at those we believe may be involved in suspected terrorist activity.

“We understand these arrests have caused some concern amongst certain local communities – particularly those in the Kurdish community. I want to reassure the community that our activity is being carried out to keep everyone safe from potential harm, including those within the Kurdish community itself.

“I would also ask that people avoid speculating or sharing unverified details online about this activity. Local officers will continue to be present in the area over the coming days to provide reassurance to local residents and I would urge anyone with concerns to speak with these officers.

“Local officers will also continue to hold meetings with community leaders, the local authority and local resident and community groups to keep them updated directly on the progress of this investigation.”

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