Nine men were appearing in court today, charged with conspiracy to cause explosions in the UK as well as carrying out reconnaissance missions and testing explosives, after a West Midlands Police operation.

The suspects, aged between 19 and 28, are from Cardiff, London and Stoke-on-Trent and were held a week ago.

They are also accused of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism and were appearing at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court.

In all, 12 men were held during the raids by unarmed police on December 20. At least five of them are of Bangladeshi origin,

Two men from Cardiff and one from London have been released without charge, West Midlands Police said.

The nine suspects are charged with conspiring to cause an explosion or explosions in the UK “of a nature likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property” between October 1 and November 20 this year.

They are also accused of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism between October 1 and December 20.