Anti-terror chief apologises after his security leak forces police to make early arrests

Ten suspects have been arrested by counter-terrorism officers in a series of raids across the North West of England, police said tonight.

The raids went ahead earlier than planned following a security leak this morning when Britain's most senior counter terrorism police officer, Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, was caught on camera clutching sensitive documents as he arrived in Downing Street.

Among a large bundle of papers under his arm was a white document clearly marked "secret" and carrying an outline on an ongoing counter-terrorism operation.

The information, which cannot be reported, included the names of several senior officers, locations and details about the nature of the overseas threat.

The senior officer was due to meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to discuss police reform.

Mr Quick was attending the meeting in his role as lead for counter terrorism and for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo).

Mr Quick apologised to Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson tonight following the blunder. 

He said he "deeply regretted" leaving the document on show.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Assistant Commissioner Quick accepts he made a mistake on leaving a sensitive document on open view and deeply regrets it.

"He has apologised to the Commissioner and colleagues."

Just hours after the embarrassing leak, police launched a major operation across the North West.

Police from Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside forces were involved in the swoops.

Arrests were made at addresses in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, John Moores University, Liverpool, and Clitheroe in Lancashire.

Police and MI5 were said to be working closely together on the investigation. A Whitehall source said: "We are keeping an open mind about what we are dealing with."

A duty manager working near John Moores University told the BBC police had dealt with the situation "very calmly".

He said he saw the "evacuation of the suspects and then police dispersed the small crowd that had gathered".

Two students were in the university's Aldham Robarts library when the arrests took place and said a "distressed voice" came over the Tannoy asking students to stay away from the windows for their own safety.

The Daily Mail