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Terror kidnap plot suspects held Terror kidnap plot suspects held
(30 minutes later)
Detectives are questioning nine men held over what senior security sources say was an alleged plot to kidnap a Muslim member of the armed forces. Detectives are questioning nine men held over what senior security sources say was a plot to kidnap a Muslim member of the armed forces.
Eight were arrested following a series of early morning raids in Birmingham, and a ninth was arrested on a nearby motorway in the afternoon. Eight were arrested following a series of early morning raids in Birmingham, and a ninth was detained on a nearby motorway in the afternoon.
Police said the investigation was likely to take "days, if not weeks".Police said the investigation was likely to take "days, if not weeks".
Officers sealed off roads across the city and are continuing to search homes and commercial premises.Officers sealed off roads across the city and are continuing to search homes and commercial premises.
All nine were arrested under the Terrorism Act which means police have a maximum of 28 days to hold them. All nine were arrested under the Terrorism Act - meaning police have a maximum of 28 days to hold them. They are being held at police stations in the West Midlands.
'Dynamic operation''Dynamic operation'
They have been detained at police stations in the West Midlands. Details have emerged suggesting the alleged plot targeted a Muslim servicemen who had served in Afghanistan and was on home leave.
During the day it emerged that the operation, run by police and the security service, MI5, followed many months of activity. BBC correspondent Gavin Hewitt said the aim could have been to film the soldier being executed and post the footage on the internet.
BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood says the Ministry of Defence is worried such alleged plots could hinder efforts to recruit more Muslims.
There are currently 248 Muslims in the armed forces - out of a total of 100,000 personnel.
Wednesday's arrests - orchestrated by police and the security service, MI5 - followed many months of activity.
Shortly after 0400 GMT, officers swooped on 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Alum Rock, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas and made eight arrests.Shortly after 0400 GMT, officers swooped on 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Alum Rock, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas and made eight arrests.
Among them were two houses and a general food store in Alum Rock and the Maktabah book store in Stratford Road, Sparkhill.Among them were two houses and a general food store in Alum Rock and the Maktabah book store in Stratford Road, Sparkhill.
Less than 12 hours later, police announced in a press conference they had arrested a ninth person in the Birmingham area.Less than 12 hours later, police announced in a press conference they had arrested a ninth person in the Birmingham area.
Assistant Chief Constable David Shaw, of West Midlands Police, told reporters: "I think that illustrates to you that this remains a dynamic, fluid operation and this is by no means finished." Assistant Chief Constable David Shaw, of West Midlands Police, told reporters: "That illustrates to you that this remains a dynamic, fluid operation and this is by no means finished."
He described being at "the foothills" of "a very, very major investigation".He described being at "the foothills" of "a very, very major investigation".
Earlier BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford said sources close to the investigation had said the aim of the alleged plot was to kidnap a serving member of the armed forces, perhaps while they were on home leave. Relative's plea
He stressed the arrests were based on intelligence, which could prove to be wrong.
The plot has not been confirmed or denied by the Ministry of Defence.
Security sources said a terror plot which was not aimed at mass casualties, would mark "a different approach" to UK terrorism.Security sources said a terror plot which was not aimed at mass casualties, would mark "a different approach" to UK terrorism.
Many local people said they had been shocked by the arrests and the scale of the operation.Many local people said they had been shocked by the arrests and the scale of the operation.
The community is under stress Shabir HussainThe community is under stress Shabir Hussain
Mohamed Barber said his cousin was one of the men arrested in Alum Rock.Mohamed Barber said his cousin was one of the men arrested in Alum Rock.
"We can vouch for him he is innocent. He doesn't even have time to go to Friday prayers - that's how busy he is," he added."We can vouch for him he is innocent. He doesn't even have time to go to Friday prayers - that's how busy he is," he added.
It has also stirred some resentment among people who have seen their community targeted before - but without any charges being made.It has also stirred some resentment among people who have seen their community targeted before - but without any charges being made.
However, Muslim leader Shabir Hussain said people should co-operate with the police and remain vigilant of unusual activity in their homes. However, Shabir Hussain, vice-president of the Alum Rock Islamic Centre, said people should co-operate with the police and remain vigilant of unusual activity in their homes.
"The community is under stress," he said."The community is under stress," he said.
"They do not know where their children are, they do not know what they do. At the mosque we are saying 'open your eyes, look underneath your feet'.""They do not know where their children are, they do not know what they do. At the mosque we are saying 'open your eyes, look underneath your feet'."
Police have set up help lines and are distributing thousands of leaflets to offer reassurance to local people.Police have set up help lines and are distributing thousands of leaflets to offer reassurance to local people.