LONDON, Sept. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Seven individuals alleged to pose a threat to national security have been detained in Britain.

    They were detained at addresses in London by immigration service officials with assistance by the Metropolitan Police and were then transferred into the care of the prison service, Sky news reported Thursday morning.

    According to the report, the raids were not connected to the London bombings, but the individuals were alleged to pose a threat to national security.

    "We can confirm that, earlier today, Thursday 15 September, the Immigration Service detained seven individuals in accordance with the Home Secretary's powers to deport individuals whose presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good for reasons of national security," said a Home Office spokesperson.

    "The Immigration Act 1971 gives powers to deport individuals, and to detain them pending deportation -- the Immigration service has detained the seven foreign nationals on this basis," added the spokesperson.

    "They will be held in secure prison service accommodation and we will not disclose their names," said the home office official. Enditem