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Terror probe police study images Terror probe police study images
(40 minutes later)
Police scouring homes for evidence of a planned terror attack in the Manchester area are studying photographs found at one location, the BBC has learned.Police scouring homes for evidence of a planned terror attack in the Manchester area are studying photographs found at one location, the BBC has learned.
Senior officers described claims that shopping centres and a nightclub were among potential targets as speculation.Senior officers described claims that shopping centres and a nightclub were among potential targets as speculation.
Twelve men - 11 of them Pakistani and most of them students - are still being questioned over the alleged plot.Twelve men - 11 of them Pakistani and most of them students - are still being questioned over the alleged plot.
Gordon Brown has said Pakistan must do more to stop terrorism. Pakistan says student visa checks are up to the UK.Gordon Brown has said Pakistan must do more to stop terrorism. Pakistan says student visa checks are up to the UK.
Police arrested the 12 suspects during a series of raids in Manchester, Liverpool and Clitheroe in Lancashire.Police arrested the 12 suspects during a series of raids in Manchester, Liverpool and Clitheroe in Lancashire.
The planned operation had to be brought forward to Wednesday in light of a security blunder by Britain's anti-terror chief.The planned operation had to be brought forward to Wednesday in light of a security blunder by Britain's anti-terror chief.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick had been photographed carrying documents with details of the alleged plot clearly visible. He resigned on Thursday.Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick had been photographed carrying documents with details of the alleged plot clearly visible. He resigned on Thursday.
Pakistan is not responsible for Islamists coming to Britain, Wajid Hasan asserted Wajid Hasan: Pakistan is not responsible for Islamists coming to Britain
Since the raids, forensic officers have been gathering evidence at 14 properties in north-west England and taking away vehicles for examination.Since the raids, forensic officers have been gathering evidence at 14 properties in north-west England and taking away vehicles for examination.
Senior officers insisted on Thursday that there was no intelligence pointing to any specific targets.Senior officers insisted on Thursday that there was no intelligence pointing to any specific targets.
However, the BBC's Nick Ravenscroft said sources had confirmed that photographs of four popular Manchester locations were recovered during searches.However, the BBC's Nick Ravenscroft said sources had confirmed that photographs of four popular Manchester locations were recovered during searches.
These were the Arndale and Trafford Centre shopping complexes, Birdcage nightclub and St Ann's Square.These were the Arndale and Trafford Centre shopping complexes, Birdcage nightclub and St Ann's Square.
"These may not have been at risk of any terrorist attack, though sources close to the investigation say that a very big attack was going to happen very soon, possibly within days of weeks," our correspondent added."These may not have been at risk of any terrorist attack, though sources close to the investigation say that a very big attack was going to happen very soon, possibly within days of weeks," our correspondent added.
The fact that many of those arrested had entered the country as students led to Conservative calls for the government to "step up" checks on visa applications.The fact that many of those arrested had entered the country as students led to Conservative calls for the government to "step up" checks on visa applications.
Almost 10,000 Pakistani nationals were granted student visas in the year to April 2008 and the Home Office says it has recently introduced measures such as fingerprinting to tighten the system.Almost 10,000 Pakistani nationals were granted student visas in the year to April 2008 and the Home Office says it has recently introduced measures such as fingerprinting to tighten the system.
Educational institutions also have to demonstrate they are keeping track of foreign students.Educational institutions also have to demonstrate they are keeping track of foreign students.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would speak to Pakistan's president to raise concerns about what he termed "increasing" terror links between the country and the UK.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would speak to Pakistan's president to raise concerns about what he termed "increasing" terror links between the country and the UK.
"One of the lessons we have learned from the past few years is that Pakistan has to do more to root out terrorist elements in its country as well," he said."One of the lessons we have learned from the past few years is that Pakistan has to do more to root out terrorist elements in its country as well," he said.
Before you can come - you have your fingerprints taken and you are biometrically tested Sajid KhanCommunity cohesion minister Where terror raids took place Before you can come - you have your fingerprints taken and you are biometrically tested Sajid KhanCommunity cohesion minister Where terror raids took place
But Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, said his country already did enough and was arresting people in anti-terror raids "every day".But Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, said his country already did enough and was arresting people in anti-terror raids "every day".
"You have to do something more," he told BBC's Newsnight."You have to do something more," he told BBC's Newsnight.
"If [the UK government] allow us to make inquiries... ask us to scrutinise people who are seeking visas, we can help them.""If [the UK government] allow us to make inquiries... ask us to scrutinise people who are seeking visas, we can help them."
Bob Milton, a former Metropolitan Police Commander with 25 years of counter-terrorism experience, says Al Qaeda may be adopting new tactics.Bob Milton, a former Metropolitan Police Commander with 25 years of counter-terrorism experience, says Al Qaeda may be adopting new tactics.
He said: "This seems quite a logical step. Why not place sleepers in the UK - in the universities - who've come from Pakistan, would have been trained, indoctrinated in Pakistan.He said: "This seems quite a logical step. Why not place sleepers in the UK - in the universities - who've come from Pakistan, would have been trained, indoctrinated in Pakistan.
"Send them over here and then utilise them to carry out attacks against the UK.""Send them over here and then utilise them to carry out attacks against the UK."
Community cohesion minister Sadiq Khan accepted visas were "our issue" and said student applicants were now being dealt with through a "points-based system".Community cohesion minister Sadiq Khan accepted visas were "our issue" and said student applicants were now being dealt with through a "points-based system".
"We've changed the rules so you've got to be applied to come to a registered university or college before you can come and you have your fingerprints taken and you are biometrically tested.""We've changed the rules so you've got to be applied to come to a registered university or college before you can come and you have your fingerprints taken and you are biometrically tested."
The Home Office says applicants are checked against "immigration, terrorist and crime watch lists".The Home Office says applicants are checked against "immigration, terrorist and crime watch lists".
However, Mr Khan admitted he did not know how many student visa applications had been refused on security grounds.However, Mr Khan admitted he did not know how many student visa applications had been refused on security grounds.