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Two quizzed over restaurant blast | Two quizzed over restaurant blast |
(10 minutes later) | |
Armed police have detained two men in an operation linked to an explosion in a restaurant in Exeter. | Armed police have detained two men in an operation linked to an explosion in a restaurant in Exeter. |
Officers targeted the men at a cafe in the Old Town Street area of Plymouth. One man was arrested and the other is described as "helping police". | Officers targeted the men at a cafe in the Old Town Street area of Plymouth. One man was arrested and the other is described as "helping police". |
The operation is linked to Thursday's explosion in Exeter, for which Nicky Reilly, 22, has been arrested. | |
Meanwhile, sources close to the investigation revealed police were aware of Mr Reilly prior to his arrest. | Meanwhile, sources close to the investigation revealed police were aware of Mr Reilly prior to his arrest. |
BBC Home Affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford says Mr Reilly became known to officers because he was close to a group which police had been gathering information on. | BBC Home Affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford says Mr Reilly became known to officers because he was close to a group which police had been gathering information on. |
It is also understood Mr Reilly received a text message before he travelled to Exeter, which could be significant to the investigation. | It is also understood Mr Reilly received a text message before he travelled to Exeter, which could be significant to the investigation. |
In Friday's operation, armed police targeted two men who were drinking at the Bagatelle cafe in Plymouth. | In Friday's operation, armed police targeted two men who were drinking at the Bagatelle cafe in Plymouth. |
Eyewitness Ed Hayward describes the arrests | Eyewitness Ed Hayward describes the arrests |
Tony Merrick, who works nearby, told BBC News: "There were about 25-30 officers in 10 vehicles. | Tony Merrick, who works nearby, told BBC News: "There were about 25-30 officers in 10 vehicles. |
"They sealed off the area and two men in the cafe were surrounded." | "They sealed off the area and two men in the cafe were surrounded." |
Rebecca Pope, 25, who was looking out of a window above the cafe, said the two men were put in paper suits before being taken away in unmarked cars. | Rebecca Pope, 25, who was looking out of a window above the cafe, said the two men were put in paper suits before being taken away in unmarked cars. |
Police arrested Mr Reilly, from Plymouth, on Thursday after an explosive device detonated inside the Giraffe restaurant in Exeter. | Police arrested Mr Reilly, from Plymouth, on Thursday after an explosive device detonated inside the Giraffe restaurant in Exeter. |
It is thought there were two further devices which were recovered from the scene and made safe. | It is thought there were two further devices which were recovered from the scene and made safe. |
The BBC's Daniel Sandford said the devices contained nails, drain cleaner, kerosene, an organic oil and aluminium foil. | The BBC's Daniel Sandford said the devices contained nails, drain cleaner, kerosene, an organic oil and aluminium foil. |
He added that it is not yet known if the explosion was caused by a deliberate or accidental detonation. | He added that it is not yet known if the explosion was caused by a deliberate or accidental detonation. |
'Preyed upon' | 'Preyed upon' |
Officers later revealed Mr Reilly, who was injured in the blast, had a history of mental illness. | Officers later revealed Mr Reilly, who was injured in the blast, had a history of mental illness. |
Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said on Thursday evening police believed Mr Reilly had adopted the Islamic faith and had been "preyed upon" and "radicalised". | Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said on Thursday evening police believed Mr Reilly had adopted the Islamic faith and had been "preyed upon" and "radicalised". |
However, Devon and Cornwall Police have not since elaborated on these claims. | However, Devon and Cornwall Police have not since elaborated on these claims. |
Nicky Reilly suffered facial injuries in Thursday's blast | Nicky Reilly suffered facial injuries in Thursday's blast |
Neighbours of Mr Reilly have told BBC News he converted to Islam and changed his name to Mohammed Rasheed. | |
Police said Mr Reilly boarded a double-decker Stagecoach bus number X38 in Bretonside bus station, Plymouth, on Thursday morning and have appealed to passengers on the service to contact them. | Police said Mr Reilly boarded a double-decker Stagecoach bus number X38 in Bretonside bus station, Plymouth, on Thursday morning and have appealed to passengers on the service to contact them. |
"We know that between 1026 and 1040 yesterday morning 54 other passengers boarded the same bus and travelled to the main bus station in Paris Street, Exeter, arriving just after midday," a spokesman said. | "We know that between 1026 and 1040 yesterday morning 54 other passengers boarded the same bus and travelled to the main bus station in Paris Street, Exeter, arriving just after midday," a spokesman said. |
The explosion took place at about 1250 BST. | The explosion took place at about 1250 BST. |
He was taken to hospital following the explosion where he remains under police guard. | He was taken to hospital following the explosion where he remains under police guard. |
A bomb disposal team arrived at Mr Reilly's home in the Stonehouse area of Plymouth at lunchtime on Friday. | A bomb disposal team arrived at Mr Reilly's home in the Stonehouse area of Plymouth at lunchtime on Friday. |
Police investigations are continuing at the flat, while the cordon at Old Town Street has been lifted. | Police investigations are continuing at the flat, while the cordon at Old Town Street has been lifted. |