Operation Arbacia is described by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Crime Operations Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray as a ‘community safety operation’, this large scale attack involved British MI5 agents, Police Scotland, an Garda Siochana, the Metropolitan Police Service and over 500 PSNI officers. Addressing the House of Commons on 2 September, Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis claimed the arrests to be the ‘biggest step in tackling violent dissident republicans in Northern Ireland in a generation’ and thanked the PSNI and its partners for their ‘hard work’ and ‘professionalism’. The ten people arrested have been charged under the Terrorism Act 2006 with offences including directing terrorism, preparatory acts of terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation, conspiracy to possess explosives with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life. Saoradh is regularly described in the media as having links to the ‘New IRA’, but has repeatedly stressed that it is a standalone organisation.