4 family members arrested at Manchester Airport, suspected of terror offences

Four people from the same family were arrested at Manchester Airport on Wednesday on suspicion of terror offences, after Turkish authorities stopped a group crossing the Syrian border earlier this month.

The youngest family member is 22, while the oldest is 47.

The arrests come a day after 21-year-old Waheed Ahmed was placed in police custody at Birmingham Airport on Tuesday, as well as a 31-year-old man in Rochdale, near Manchester.

All six were arrested under the Terrorism Act and remain in police custody for questioning.

The investigation was launched after nine people – five adults and four children – were detained by Turkish authorities while attempting to cross into Syria last month, with the suspected intent of joining Islamic State jihadists.

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Turkey deported the nine Britons, including Waheed Ahmed, the son of a UK Labour Party councilor from Rochdale.

Officers are working to establish their reasons for travel and alleged attempt to enter Syria, Greater Manchester Police said.

In a statement, Ahmed’s father, Councillor Shakil Ahmed, said: “My son is a good Muslim and his loyalties belong to Britain, so I don't understand what he's doing there.

“If I thought for a second that he was in danger of being radicalized, I would have reported him to the authorities,” he said.

“He's studying a degree in politics and sociology at Manchester University and has a good future ahead of him.”