An alleged right-wing terror threat to an Islamic event at a country estate in Suffolk has left people reeling.
Twelve people were arrested in connection with the possible threat to the UK Ijtima event at Shrubland Hall, in Barham.
Quiet village streets nearby were sealed off and flooded with police and specialist armed officers.
People told the BBC the scene was “absolute carnage” but praised the police, saying the operation was methodical.
Nearly 10,000 people came together to pray, talk to each other about their faith and listen to lectures about Islam at the event.
It began on Friday and was due to run through until 14:00 BST on Sunday.
Instead, Suffolk Police worked with organisers to close it earlier than planned, “after receiving information about a possible threat made towards the event”.
Eleven men and one woman were arrested, and Counter Terrorism Policing officers conducted searches at various addresses across the country linked to them.
Anita Woolnough said as she came back from her early morning dog walk, there were “loads of police here, armed police, and they were shutting down the event”.
Jason Langford, who lives at Great Blakenham, said: “I’m still reeling from it, quite honestly. You just don’t expect it in rural Suffolk.”
He added: “I was amazed by the armed police, the road closures – it was absolute, absolute carnage.”
Woolnough said she initially spotted some police activity as she set off on her dog walk at about 05:25 on Sunday.
By the time she returned, there “must have been about 50” police vehicles in the area, she added.
Langford said: “They handled it really well, very calm, very methodical… You don’t normally see that in a little village like this; it’s very peaceful, but they handled it really well.
“Then a few of my neighbours started to come out to understand what was going on, but at that time we didn’t know of the terrorist threat – which is probably not a bad thing, as otherwise people start speculating.”
She was pleased to hear police were expected to stay at the scene for the next few days.
Andy Mellen, Green leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “This is shocking news which we know will be concerning for local communities.
“It is important we continue to let police do their job, as this is an ongoing investigation.
“Suffolk is one of the safest places in the country, and Mid Suffolk District Council will continue to work with partners to reassure the community.”
Dr Wajid Akhter, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “We thank counter-terror police for their swift action in arresting twelve people over a terrorist threat to an Islamic event this weekend; the speed of their response undoubtedly saved lives, and we are relieved everyone is safe.”
But he warned the event cannot be treated as an isolated incident, pointing to racist riots in Belfast and a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh.
“This once again highlights that the threat facing Muslim communities is real, not imagined,” he added.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously said the response of the police in tackling a “credible threat” had “undoubtedly saved lives”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously described it as “shocking news”, adding: “My message is clear: I will not tolerate any attacks on our Muslim communities, or any form of anti-Muslim hatred.”
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Twelve arrested over threat to Islamic event
Islamic event ended early after ‘possible threat’