West Midlands Police given more time to question terrorism suspect

Published on 08/07/2012 00:00

DETECTIVES have been granted extra time to question a 43-year-old man arrested on suspicion of terrorism after police found guns and other weapons hidden in a car.

The man, from Kirklees, West Yorkshire, was detained in Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, on Thursday. He was one of seven men arrested last week after the haul was found inside the vehicle, which had been impounded for having no 
insurance.

Police now have until 12 July to charge or release the man, or apply for more time. Officers have already been given warrants of further detention for the six other suspects, who are all from the West Midlands. All seven men are being held on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “The arrests followed a routine stop of a
vehicle by police on the M1 motorway in South Yorkshire last Saturday. The car was impounded on suspicion of
having no insurance.

“Firearms, offensive weapons and other material were later found hidden inside, prompting police to take 
action to trace and arrest the driver, passenger and others suspected of being involved.”

Police said three men, aged 23, 26 and 27 from Sparkhill, Birmingham, were held on Tuesday morning.

Three more suspects – a 22-year-old from Alum Rock, Birmingham, a 24-year-old from the Moseley area of the city, and a 22-year-old from Smethwick, West Midlands – were arrested on Wednesday evening.