British police make terror arrest

Police carried out a controlled explosion in the soutwestern city of Bristol early Friday, following the arrest of a 19-year-old man the day before, officials said.

About 30 people were evacuated from their homes before the controlled explosion, which was intended to disarm any potential explosive device.

The suspect remained in custody and material from the controlled explosion was retrieved for analysis, police said.

"During yesterday and overnight, Avon and Somerset Constabulary have been co-ordinating a number of covert inquiries," said Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts.

"As a result, a 19-year-old man was arrested yesterday afternoon under the Terrorism Act 2000," and was taken to an area police station, she said. A search warrant for his home in the Westbury-on-Trym area of the city was issued, Roberts added.

"A number of people were evacuated from neighboring homes as a precaution," she said, and just after 2 a.m., "the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team conducted a controlled explosion at the location."

Further details about the arrested man and the covert inquiries were not immediately available.

But Roberts said, "this is likely to be a prolonged, complex and sensitive inquiry which may take some time."