Woman shot, 4 arrested in counter-terror operation in UK

A woman was shot and four others were arrested as part of an ongoing counter-terrorism operation across London and Kent, the UK police said today.

The operation in south-east England was not linked with the arrest of a 27-year-old man with knives near the Houses of Parliament earlier in the day, the Scotland Yard said.

"During the operation, a female, who is one of the subjects of the investigation, was shot by police. The woman, aged in her twenties, has been taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. She remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. Due to her condition, she has not been arrested at this time and remains under police guard at hospital," a Metropolitan Police statement said.
 

Four people have now been arrested. The first, a 20- year-old man was arrested near to the address. A male aged 16 and woman aged 20 were arrested at the address. A 43-year-old woman was arrested in Kent a short while later, it added.

All four have been arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of terrorist acts under Section 41 of the UK Terrorism Act 2000.

They remain in custody at a south London Police station.

The address and persons connected with it had been under observation by counter-terrorism officers as part of an ongoing intelligence-led operation, according to the police.

In line with established post incident procedures, the incident has been referred to the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards. This matter has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as a matter of course, the Met said.

There are no other reported injuries and searches at the address are ongoing, as well as further searches at linked addresses across London.

Earlier yesterday, armed officers were seen arresting a man near Parliament Square. Knives were seen lying nearby. The 27-year-old has been detained on terrorism charges and is believed to have a British passport but was born outside the UK.