British soldier held under Terrorism Act over nail bomb at Salford house

 
Staff|Agency4 December 2013
WEST END FINAL

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A soldier has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after a nail bomb was found at a house.

The 19-year-old man was detained at an Army base in Paderborn, Germany, following the discovery of the suspicious device at a terraced house in Salford last week.

He was flown to the UK and questioned by detectives in Greater Manchester before he was released on bail until January pending further inquiries.

The counter-terrorism arrest is related to the discovery of the suspicious device at an address in Mellor Street, Eccles, on November 28.

Army bomb disposal officers were called to safely remove the device as residents were evacuated to a local school.

Police arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of possession of abusive images.

They also revealed they had recovered "several items of literature which could be viewed by some as potentially inflammatory" - reported to be extreme right-wing leaflets.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police have arrested a man in connection with the investigation into a suspicious device found in Salford last Thursday.

"A 19-year-old man was on Monday 2 December 2013 arrested on suspicion of Section 57 of the Terrorism Act. He has now been bailed until January.

"Shortly before 1.30pm on Thursday 28 November 2013 a warrant was executed at an address on Mellor Street in Patricroft.

"A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of abusive images and was bailed pending further enquiries.

"During a search of the property on Mellor Street, a suspicious device was found. A cordon was put in place and a number of residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Specialist officers assessed the device and were later able to confirm it was no longer a threat to the community."

It is understood the soldier was detained by the Royal Military Police on suspicion of the unlawful possession of explosives, firearms and ammunition.

An Army spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that an individual has been arrested on charges linked to the discovery of a suspicious device in Salford on 28 November 2013.

"Greater Manchester Police is investigating this and it would be inappropriate to comment further during the ongoing investigation."

The Royal Military Police are said to be working closely with GMP as part of the probe.

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