A 43-year-old man has been arrested in Cinderford on terror-related charges following a large police operation.
In a statement released on Thursday (November 19), Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said a man from Gloucestershire had been arrested in relation to Terrorism Act and Serious Crime Act offences.
CTPSE have been working with Gloucestershire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing South West on the investigation
He was arrested on suspicion· of encouraging terrorism contrary to section one of the Terrorism Act 2006; dissemination of terrorist publications contrary to section two of the Terrorism Act 2006; collection of information contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of serious crime contrary to section 44 of the Serious Crime Act 2007.
Police continued three searches in Gloucestershire and another in the West Mercia force area on Thursday.
It is understood that two of the searches were in Whitecroft and Bream.
The main Lydney to Coleford road was also closed near the Maypole in Bream on Thursday afternoon.
A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said: “Specialist officers will be carrying out these searches and may at times be wearing protective suits, however there is no wider threat to the public at this time.”
A local man reported a van with a “heavily armed escort” heading towards Gloucester at around lunch-time on Thursday.
There were also local reports of a heavy police presence in the Valley Road area of Cinderford on Wednesday.