The suspected terrorists detained by British police on May 3 could have been targeting a synagogue or a facility associated with the Jewish community. This was reported by The Daily Telegraph, according to TASS.

The newspaper, citing sources, said that the police prevented the attack a few hours before it was to be carried out.

Earlier, according to Scotland Yard, counterterrorism officers arrested five men aged 29 to 46, four of whom are Iranian citizens, on suspicion of “conspiring to attack a specific target.” The name of the target has not been disclosed in the interests of the investigation.

Also on Saturday, as part of another case, Scotland Yard counterterrorism officers arrested three Iranians aged 39 to 55 in London. They are also in custody. The arrests were made under Section 27 of the National Security Act 2023. This allows people to be detained and arrested on suspicion of engaging in activities posing a threat to the interests of a foreign power.

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Saturday's counterterrorism operations were “among the largest in the UK in recent years.”