Police under fire over terrorism arrests

The government's terrorism watch-dog has criticised police who arrested and then released without charge 12 men seized in April raids to foil a suspected al Qaeda plot.

Lord Carlile, the government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said Greater Manchester Police should have sought comprehensive advice from specialist Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyers in advance.

The raids were launched several hours ahead of schedule in daylight after a document on the operation being carried by senior counter-terrorism officer Bob Quick into Downing Street was photographed. Mr Quick resigned the next day.

"It was unwise of the police in this case not to actively seek legal advice from the CPS during the process of planning the arrests," Lord Carlile said.

The 11 Pakistanis and one Briton were arrested in northwest England on April 8 in an operation aimed at preventing what Prime Minister Gordon Brown called a "very big terrorist plot."

But prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to hold them or bring charges. Police did not meet CPS lawyers in person until April 15, a week after the arrests, and Lord Carlile said advice might have led to fewer arrests.

"I recommend that the CPS should at the very least be kept informed of counter-terrorism operations and asked to provide any material advice as soon as arrest of identified individuals is seen as likely," Lord Carlile said in a report.

GMP Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson noted Lord Carlile said the arrests were justified.

"We faced some challenging circumstances in a fast-moving and dynamic operation," he said.

"We did speak to the Crown Prosecution Service ahead of arrests ... However, none of the conversations would have changed our decision to make arrests or the number of people arrested."