This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33188626

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Theresa May issues warning to Britons considering joining IS Theresa May issues warning to Britons considering joining IS
(35 minutes later)
Britons travelling to Syria and Iraq to join Islamic State militants face a "life of war, famine and hardship", Home Secretary Theresa May has warned.Britons travelling to Syria and Iraq to join Islamic State militants face a "life of war, famine and hardship", Home Secretary Theresa May has warned.
She made the direct appeal to those "tempted" to travel at an international counter-terrorism conference in London.She made the direct appeal to those "tempted" to travel at an international counter-terrorism conference in London.
And Met Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said taking a child to a war zone could never be justified.And Met Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said taking a child to a war zone could never be justified.
It comes as three Bradford sisters are feared to be travelling to Syria, with their nine children.It comes as three Bradford sisters are feared to be travelling to Syria, with their nine children.
Efforts are continuing to trace Khadija, Sugra and Zohra Dawood and their children, who disappeared after travelling to Saudi Arabia to take part in a religious pilgrimage.Efforts are continuing to trace Khadija, Sugra and Zohra Dawood and their children, who disappeared after travelling to Saudi Arabia to take part in a religious pilgrimage.
They took a flight to Istanbul, a commonly used gateway into Syria, instead of returning to the UK and there are indications they have now crossed the border.They took a flight to Istanbul, a commonly used gateway into Syria, instead of returning to the UK and there are indications they have now crossed the border.
It has emerged they were questioned by security officials ahead of a flight they intended to catch in March, which they then missed, but were subsequently cleared to travel.It has emerged they were questioned by security officials ahead of a flight they intended to catch in March, which they then missed, but were subsequently cleared to travel.
The women's brother, Ahmed Dawood, is believed to be fighting with extremists in the country, parts of which are controlled by IS militants.The women's brother, Ahmed Dawood, is believed to be fighting with extremists in the country, parts of which are controlled by IS militants.
The conference also comes after Talha Asmal, 17, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, is thought to have become the UK's youngest-ever suicide bomber.The conference also comes after Talha Asmal, 17, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, is thought to have become the UK's youngest-ever suicide bomber.
The home secretary said: "In the past week we have heard separate and equally shocking media reports about dangerous radicalisation.The home secretary said: "In the past week we have heard separate and equally shocking media reports about dangerous radicalisation.
"Some of these cases have not been confirmed. But while I cannot comment in detail I do want to say this to the parents, siblings, faith leaders and community groups whose loved ones may be at risk: I want to work with you to stop this from happening.""Some of these cases have not been confirmed. But while I cannot comment in detail I do want to say this to the parents, siblings, faith leaders and community groups whose loved ones may be at risk: I want to work with you to stop this from happening."
"A real partnership" is needed to defeat the "poisonous and twisted" ideology of IS, Mrs May at the event, organised in the light of terrorist attacks around the world, including in Paris and Sydney. "A real partnership" is needed to defeat the "poisonous" and "twisted" ideology of IS, Mrs May said at the event, organised in the light of terrorist attacks around the world, including in Paris and Sydney.
At least 700 people from the UK are believed to have travelled to Syria or Iraq to support or fight for jihadist organisations, with about half having since returned.
Mrs May said there was a "very serious threat that returnees may carry out attacks on home soil, radicalise others or fund or facilitate terrorism in other ways."
Groups such as Boko Haram and al-Qaeda also posed a danger, she said, adding that "the threat from Northern Ireland-related terrorism and far-right extremism" should not be forgotten.
'Turning backs on families''Turning backs on families'
The home secretary said IS wanted to "lure" young women and families to Syria and Iraq, through the "powerful allure of propaganda".The home secretary said IS wanted to "lure" young women and families to Syria and Iraq, through the "powerful allure of propaganda".
But those who travel would be forced to live without the freedoms they had enjoyed in the UK, she warned.But those who travel would be forced to live without the freedoms they had enjoyed in the UK, she warned.
Appealing to those thinking of travelling, Mrs May said they would be going to a place with "no democracy, no rule of law, no equality".Appealing to those thinking of travelling, Mrs May said they would be going to a place with "no democracy, no rule of law, no equality".
She said: "If you travel, you reject those freedoms. You turn your back on your families and your communities and instead embrace hatred, intolerance and brutality."She said: "If you travel, you reject those freedoms. You turn your back on your families and your communities and instead embrace hatred, intolerance and brutality."
Mrs May added: "Do not travel. Do not engage in dangerous activities."Mrs May added: "Do not travel. Do not engage in dangerous activities."
Speaking to the police from 20 countries and 100 law enforcement officials attending the event, she warned: "If you do not follow this advice, if you become involved in illegal and harmful activities, we will do everything in our power to keep the people of this country safe from terrorism."Speaking to the police from 20 countries and 100 law enforcement officials attending the event, she warned: "If you do not follow this advice, if you become involved in illegal and harmful activities, we will do everything in our power to keep the people of this country safe from terrorism."
Sir Bernard, speaking before the conference, said there was a "growing phenomenon" of British people taking their families to Syria.Sir Bernard, speaking before the conference, said there was a "growing phenomenon" of British people taking their families to Syria.
He asked: "Do you need to tell a mother not to take a child to a war zone?"He asked: "Do you need to tell a mother not to take a child to a war zone?"
The commissioner added: "How could anybody want to go to a warzone? Why would you take a child there? This is a worry.The commissioner added: "How could anybody want to go to a warzone? Why would you take a child there? This is a worry.
"We're just struggling to understand what drives people to do this.""We're just struggling to understand what drives people to do this."
'Overwhelmed'
He said more research was needed to understand why people were attracted to the Islamic State regime that most people regarded as "barbaric".He said more research was needed to understand why people were attracted to the Islamic State regime that most people regarded as "barbaric".
The commissioner welcomed recent legal changes which allow police to seize the passports for 28 days of people they suspected might be travelling to engage in fighting.The commissioner welcomed recent legal changes which allow police to seize the passports for 28 days of people they suspected might be travelling to engage in fighting.
But asked whether the measures should be extended for child protection purposes, Sir Bernard said: "At this stage I wouldn't call for that."But asked whether the measures should be extended for child protection purposes, Sir Bernard said: "At this stage I wouldn't call for that."
He said that the Turkish authorities were "getting quite overwhelmed" with the number of people using their country's borders to access Syria. Mrs May told the conference that the new powers of temporary seizure had been used and "proved effective".
Sir Bernard said that the Turkish authorities were "getting quite overwhelmed" with the number of people using their country's borders to access Syria.
While relationships with Turkey were "pretty good", the "surge" of people was "not easy for them", he added.While relationships with Turkey were "pretty good", the "surge" of people was "not easy for them", he added.