LONDON: A man has been arrested under terrorism laws after traces of uranium were found in a cargo package at Heathrow Airport, British police said, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Border Force officers found the radioactive material with a shipment of scrap metal on Dec 29 which, according to the Sun newspaper, had originated in Pakistan and was bound for Iranians in the UK.

Police in Cheshire detained the man, in his 60s, on Saturday under Section nine of the Terrorism Act.

He has been bailed until April.

Commander Richard Smith, who leads the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: "I want to be clear that despite making this arrest, and based on what we currently know, this incident still does not appear to be linked to any direct threat to the public.

"However, detectives are continuing with their inquiries to ensure this is definitely the case."

-- BERNAMA