Terror arrests in brum

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6315989.stm

Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 January 2007, 14:21 GMT

Arrests over 'terror kidnap plot'

Searches are being carried out at 12 addresses
Eight people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act in Birmingham
in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap a member of the armed
forces.
A number of addresses in the city have been sealed off after morning
raids.

The operation, believed to have taken six months, involved police and
security service MI5.

Senior security sources said a terror plot not aimed at mass
casualties would mark "a different approach to terrorism in the UK".

BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford said sources close to
the investigation said the aim of the alleged plot was to kidnap a
serving member of the armed forces, perhaps while they were on home
leave.

He stressed the arrests were based on intelligence, which could prove
to be wrong.

The Ministry of Defence said it could not confirm or deny reports of
such a plot.



Police said 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Washwood Heath,
Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas of the city were targeted as part of
the 0400 GMT raids.

All are still being searched.

Two houses and a general store in Alum Rock, near Washwood Heath, were
raided.

The Maktabah book store in Stratford Road, Sparkhill, which is
believed to sell Islamic literature, was also raided.

Police have cordoned off roads around Jackson Road and Foxton Road, in
Alum Rock, and Poplar Road and Stratford Road, in Sparkhill.

Police have not confirmed any of the raided addresses.

Baswant Kant, who lives in Stratford Road, near the junction with
Poplar Road, said about 55 police officers "turned up in white vans"
in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"They went into shops and restaurants along the road - a lot of people
got arrested," he said.

Saqib Hussain, of Sparkhill, told BBC News he had visited the raided
book shop many times and "had never seen any suspicions of terrorist
activity".

Mohamed Barber told BBC News 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.

Abdul Ghaffoor, a regular shopper at the general store, said he had
never heard politics being discussed in the shop.

Public co-operation

Leaders at the Alum Rock Islamic Centre, the main mosque in the area,
said the community was shocked at events, but urged calm and appealed
to people to co-operate with the police investigation.

Ayub Pervaz, the mosque's president, said: "Our view is very clear. If
people have broken the law they should be brought to justice.

"But we also appeal for no trial by media. If any of those arrested
turn out to be innocent, this should be made clear."

I hope everyone involved will act with the maximum restraint

John Reid

Vehicles, including a white Transit van, have been removed from Alum
Rock.

The eight are suspected of "the commission, preparation or instigation
of acts of terrorism".

Home Secretary John Reid urged for restraint, but would not comment on
the specific operation.

"I hope everyone involved will act with the maximum restraint. There
is a major operation and investigation under way... there may be court
proceedings."

A Home Office spokeswoman added: "This operation is a reminder of the
real and serious nature of the terrorist threat we face."

In a statement, West Midlands Police asked for the "continued support
and co-operation of the public".

"Our message to people living in the West Midlands is to remain
vigilant," the statement added.

The raided houses are now being searched by officers.


COMMENT


surprised there hasn't been more comment on this ng.

Personally I think this is more credible than last years air-scare ....

.