Latest news with #CounterTerrorismPolicing
BBC News
7 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Leeds man, 48, charged with terror offence
A man from Leeds is due to appear in court later charged with a terror offence, police have Paul Gilleard, of Town Street in Armley, has been charged with possessing information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 48-year-old was remanded in custody and was due to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, according to Counter Terrorism Policing North East and West Yorkshire arrest came following an intelligence-led operation and a property in Leeds was searched in connection with the investigation, a spokesperson said. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man admits making threatening anti-Islamic and racist social media posts
A MAN from the West Midlands has admitted to two offences after posting threatening messages on social media that featured weapons. Richard Britton pleaded guilty to two counts of publishing or distributing threatening, abusive or insulting material between February and March 2023. Staffordshire police said Britton displayed anti-Islamic, racist and anti-immigration sentiments and used threatening language on his social media account. He also shared images of weapons online and encouraged others to do the same, with the account he used to make these posts being later suspended by Twitter. The 31-year-old was arrested during a pre-planned operation on 26 April 2023, and following a search of his address, weapons were recovered which matched those featured in his social media posts. Britton initially denied the offences, but he entered guilty pleas at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday (21 May). He will be sentenced on 25 July. Detective Superintendent Annie Miller, from Counter Terrorism Policing in the West Midlands who investigated, said: 'When we searched Britton's address following his arrest, we found machetes, fireworks and material matching the images he'd posted online. 'Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety and security of the people who live, work and visit the wider West Midlands area."
Sky News
14-05-2025
- Sky News
Neo-Nazi extremists guilty of planning terror attack on mosque
Three neo-Nazis who stockpiled weapons including a 3D-printed assault rifle are facing "substantial" prison sentences after they were found guilty of plotting a terrorist attack on a mosque in Leeds. Counter-terrorism police found an arsenal of more than 200 weapons that included crossbows, swords, machetes, axes, a baseball bat and numerous hunting knives, following raids on properties in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. An almost completed FGC-9 Mk II printed assault rifle was found in the loft of one of the suspects. It was missing the barrel and firing pin but the men were sourcing the components to complete the weapon. The three men had a shared interest in bushcraft and YouTube "prepper" videos, claiming in court they were preparing for a "shit hits the fan" scenario such as a Russian invasion or a zombie apocalypse. However, prosecutors said they were actually preparing for a race war and had used the prepper groups to recruit an inner circle which moved on to neo-Nazi chat groups before setting up their own private group, as they prepared to take action. Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing North East, said the "self-styled militant online group" espoused "vile racist views" and took "real world steps to plan and prepare for carrying out an attack on innocent citizens". Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Counter-Terrorism Division, said that the 3D-printed firearm "could have been used to devastating consequences" if it had been completed. The group was infiltrated by an undercover officer and on 5 January last year, Brogan Stewart messaged the officer on the encrypted Telegram app, telling him he was disillusioned with other far-right groups that just "sit around and talk". "I want to get my own group together because action speaks louder than words," he added. Stewart, 25, from Tingley, Wakefield, appointed Christopher Ringrose, 34, from Cannock, Staffordshire, who had constructed the 3D firearm and Marco Pitzettu, 25, from Mickleover, Derby, as "armourers" for the new group. Stewart convened a group telephone call on 5 February in which he said the plan was to "cruise around" looking for "human targets" near an Islamic education centre, "do what whatever we do then back at mine for tea and medals and a debrief." Before the "operation" went ahead he wanted the members, who had never met in person, to "hang out, bring ourselves closer together and just cement that brotherhood" on 18 February, but the event did not go ahead and the group were arrested on 20 February. All three were found unanimously guilty of preparing acts of terrorism and possessing information useful for terrorism. Ringrose was found guilty of manufacturing the lower receiver for a 3D firearm. Pitzettu pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun.
Sky News
14-05-2025
- Sky News
Neo-Nazi extremists guilty of planning terror attacks on mosque
Three neo-Nazis who stockpiled weapons including a 3D-printed assault rifle are facing "substantial" prison sentences after they were found guilty of plotting a terrorist attack on a mosque in Leeds. Counter-terrorism police found an arsenal of over 200 weapons that included crossbows, swords, machetes, axes, a baseball bat and numerous hunting knives, following raids on properties in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. An almost completed FGC-9 Mk II printed assault rifle was found in the loft of one of the suspects. It was missing the barrel and firing pin but the men were sourcing the components to complete the weapon. The three men had a shared interest in bushcraft and Youtube "prepper" videos, claiming in court they were preparing for a "shit hits the fan" scenario such as a Russian invasion or a zombie apocalypse. However, prosecutors said they were actually preparing for a race war and had used the prepper groups to recruit an inner circle which moved on to neo-Nazi chat groups before setting up their own private group, as they prepared to take action. Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing North East, said the "self-styled militant online group" espoused "vile racist views" and took "real world steps to plan and prepare for carrying out an attack on innocent citizens." Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Counter-Terrorism Division, said that the 3D-printed firearm "could have been used to devastating consequences" if it had been completed. The group was infiltrated by an undercover officer and on 5 January last year, Brogan Stewart messaged the officer on the encrypted Telegram app, telling him he was disillusioned with other far-right groups that just "sit around and talk". "I want to get my own group together because action speaks louder than words," he added. Stewart, 25, from Tingley, Wakefield, appointed Christopher Ringrose, 34, from Cannock, Staffordshire, who had constructed the 3D firearm and Marco Pitzettu, 25, from Mickleover, Derby, as "armourers" for the new group. Stewart convened a group telephone call on 5 February in which he said the plan was to "cruise around" looking for "human targets" near an Islamic education centre, "do what whatever we do then back at mine for tea and medals and a debrief." Before the "operation" went ahead he wanted the members, who had never met in person, to "hang out, bring ourselves closer together and just cement that brotherhood" on 18 February, but the event did not go ahead and the group were arrested on 20 February. All three were found unanimously guilty of preparing acts of terrorism and possessing information useful for terrorism. Ringrose was found guilty of manufacturing the lower receiver for a 3D firearm. Pitzettu pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Nine arrested in dawn police raids after neo-Nazis 'hold birthday party for Adolf Hitler with swastika flags and birthday cake in pub'
Nine people have been arrested as part of a police probe into a group that allegedly celebrated Adolf Hitler's birthday with swastika flags and a birthday cake. They were arrested on Wednesday morning on suspicion of Section 18 Public Order Act offences. This includes displaying written material that is threatening, abusive or insulting, intended to stir up racial hatred, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP). The pub where the alleged celebration happened is in Royton, Greater Manchester, the force said. Officers then raided properties in Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford, Stockport and Southport and found imitation firearms, weapons including swords and a crossbow, and Nazi memorabilia and materials. The force has also said they have been in contact with Counter Terrorism Policing North West, which has offered advice on the materials seized. Explosive ordnance disposal were also deployed following the recovery of a suspected grenade at a property in Bolton. The item has since been declared safe and there is no risk to the wider public, police said. Scenes remain in place while officers continue to search the addresses, the force added on Wednesday evening. Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: 'It's important that all avenues are explored to establish the extent of the criminal offences which have been committed, and whilst our investigation is still in its early stages, we do not believe there to be a risk to the wider public. 'This group clearly has a deep fascination with ideas that we know are unsettling for communities across Greater Manchester. 'We must take action when concerns are raised, and where weapons are suspected, to ensure people are free to live without fear of intimidation or harm. 'Public safety is at the forefront of our investigation, and as always, we ask that you remain vigilant, and if you have any information or concerns, then to contact us.' It comes after members of the west branch of racist fringe group British Movement assembled at the Duke of Edinburgh on April 26. The far right obsessives unfurled flags displaying Nazi symbols and even tucked into a black, red and white birthday cake emblazoned with a swastika. They then showed off about the shocking celebration on social media, sickeningly saying the pub had been filled with the 'warm laughter of comrades' as they marked 'the 136th Birthday of Uncle A'. After been approached about the appalling scenes, the pub has said it had no knowledge of the actions of the group of up to eight men and one woman. After this emerged the group were labelled a 'highly fringe Nazi group that is repulsive even by the standards of the far right' who represent 'a tiny collection of crank Hitler fetishists'. A post on the group's Telegram feed reads: 'On a gorgeous sunny afternoon in Greater Manchester, a platoon of Northwest British Movement met up to celebrate the 136th Birthday of Uncle A. 'It certainly didn't take long for the dimly lit interior of the Oldham boozer to be filled with the warm laughter of comrades old and new. 'Tables were filled with a plethora of drinks: frosty pints of beer, fruity cocktails, schooners, and birthday cake! 'As the evening wore on more laughter and lively conversation echoed around the pub, with everyone telling stories and sharing some of their own dreams and aspirations, each person adding to the tapestry of hopes for the future. 'They reminisced about the good times while planning their future BM escapades, ensuring that this celebration was just one of many more to come.'
