London: In a pre-dawn swoop, the Scotland Yard on January 20 raided a mosque in North London and arrested seven people in connection with investigations into recent discovery of traces of the deadly poison ricin.

The mosque in Finsbury Park has attracted controversy over its connection with radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza, who faces exclusion as an agent of the mosque's Trust because of "inflammatory and highly political" speeches at prayers.

At least 150 police personnel, including armed officers and others carrying ladders and battering arms, raided the mosque at 02:00 hours (0730 IST).

Two helicopters were seen circling overhead, training spotlights on the North London mosque and two neighbouring three-storey houses which were also raided.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said the raid was part of extensive investigations into terror activities in the United Kingdom (UK).

"Although this is linked to arrests made in North London, at this stage there is nothing to suggest chemical substances are on the premises. Seven people have been taken for questioning," he said.

The seven suspects, who were living in the mosque, were arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 and taken to Central London police station.

PTI