Five men have been arrested in anti-terrorism raids at addresses in the northwest of England and a hotel near London's Heathrow Airport.
Officers from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit began the ‘low key’ operation at 4am, raiding houses in Greater Manchester.
Police sources said there was no imminent terrorist danger to the area and the arrests were related to an alleged overseas threat.
The properties were sealed off and searched as four men were taken into custody for questioning under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The suspects are aged between 21 and 62.
