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Three men held by terror police Men questioned by terror police
(about 11 hours later)
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of committing terror offences, police say. Three men arrested on Thursday on suspicion of terror charges are being questioned by police.
Two of the men were held at Manchester Airport, while the third was detained in nearby Accrington. Two were arrested at Manchester Airport, and the third was detained in Accrington. All three are in their 20s.
Lancashire Police said the men, aged 21, 22 and 23, were all from the Blackburn area. Their homes are being searched by specialist officers. Police sources confirmed the arrests were not linked to previous terror attacks, said the BBC's Nick Ravenscroft.
The arrests were a joint operation between Lancashire Police and Greater Manchester Counter Terrorism Unit. The arrests were not at the "more serious" end of the scale for such offences, added our correspondent.
Detectives are searching the homes of the men, aged 21, 22 and 23.
'Complex inquiry''Complex inquiry'
Ch Supt Andy Rhodes, of Lancashire Police, said: "Lancashire Constabulary will investigate any information that is passed to us, and ensure it is accurate, before responding in a proportionate and measured way. Two of the addresses being searched are on Percival Street, Whalley Range, and Cromwell Street, Audley Range.
"These arrests and subsequent searches of the nearby premises will be conducted with sensitivity and carried out as quickly as possible to ensure minimum impact on the three areas concerned. The arrests were a joint operation between Lancashire Police and Greater Manchester Counter Terrorism Unit.
Police are searching the men's properties Ch Supt Andy Rhodes, of Lancashire Police, said: "These arrests and subsequent searches of the nearby premises will be conducted with sensitivity and carried out as quickly as possible to ensure minimum impact on the three areas concerned.
"However, these types of inquiries can be complex and may take time to resolve."However, these types of inquiries can be complex and may take time to resolve.
"I would ask local residents to be patient with us and to be assured that we will keep them updated in relation to the investigation as and when we can.""I would ask local residents to be patient with us and to be assured that we will keep them updated in relation to the investigation as and when we can."
Bill Crawshaw, terminal duty manager at Manchester Airport, said the arrests had no effect on the airport. Martin Clough, 32, a school caretaker from Cromwell Street, said: "It's quite disturbing. It's a small street and everyone gets on with everybody."
"It is a total police operation and we didn't even know that it had happened until afterwards," he added. A spokesman for Jack Straw, Labour MP for Blackburn, said it was a matter for the police but Mr Straw was being kept informed.
Omar Hussain, who lives near the houses being searched in Blackburn, said he had been handed a leaflet by police advising people of the arrests.
He added: "It's really worrying that it's so close. It's like 'oh my God, who is it?' You can't believe it's actually happening on your street, in your community."