Man arrested over suspected murder plot against serving West Midlands Police officers

The force stressed that the public were not in danger at any point today

West Midlands Police headquarters (Google Streetview)

A 31-year-old man was arrested by counter-terrorism officers today following a tip-off about a suspected plot to murder a serving police officer.

Police said the information about the possible attack was “anonymous but credible” and led to a security alert at the West Midlands police.

Officers took extra security measures at police stations and were warned off wearing any part of their uniform while off duty. They declined to give further details about the nature of the source or say if the arrest was linked to the plot or the warning.

This latest security alert comes after five men were charged in October with plotting to kill police officers or soldiers on the streets of London. Members of the gang allegedly swore allegiance to extremist group Islamic State and scouted out Shepherd's Bush police station and White City Territorial Army Barracks on a “hostile reconnaissance” mission on Google Street View.

In October the threat level to police officers across Britain was raised to substantial, while the national security level remains at severe meaning a terrorist attack is highly likely.

“A 31-year-old man from the West Midlands has this afternoon been arrested in connection with the investigation into threats made to West Midlands Police officers and staff yesterday,” according to a police statement.