West Midlands second only to London for Syrian terror links
The West Midlands is second only to London for Syria-related terror investigations, Britain's top police expert said today.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley appealed for help in rooting out aspiring home-grown terrorists.
Mr Rowley, the country's top counter-terrorism officer, appealed to family members and friends of aspiring UK terrorists to come forward, stressing that nearly half of would-be jihadis identified as part of Syria-linked investigations had not previously been classed as dangerous.
In the first half of this year 69 suspected extremists who planned to travel to Syria or fund terrorism there were arrested. In all, five times as many suspects are being arrested now compared to 2013.
Mr Rowley said: "The biggest growth in Syrian-related investigations has occurred in London and the West Midlands.
"The growth of dangerous individuals poses challenges for policing, especially when nearly half of Syria travellers of concern were not known as terrorist risks previously.
"Hence, we appeal to the public to help identify for us aspiring terrorists – they may be about to travel abroad, have just returned or be showing signs of becoming radicalised.
"High priority operations, especially against those involved in attack planning or on the cusp have increased greatly. Port stops and cash seizures have grown by over 50 per cent."
Police are currently having hundreds of pieces of terrorist content linked to Syria removed from websites including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
See also: West Midlands Police: We fear backlash if Syria pleas fail.
Scotland Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has warned it cannot be predicted when potential terrorists might decide to return to the UK from countries Iraq and Syria, and police are preparing in case of an influx. It is estimated that around 500 Britons have travelled to Syria to fight alongside extremists – over half from London.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Young men are told if they die in 'battle' they will be welcomed in heaven by 72 virgins, even though scholars suggest the reference to 'black-eyed virgins' is in fact a promise of 72 raisins.
"Most of us don't give a monkey's what happens to these prats in heaven – we just want someone with a bunker buster to effect an introduction as fast as possible."
West Midlands Police too has renewed calls to the public to help them identify would-be terrorists planning to travel to Syria and Iraq.
"We are seeing young people who previously had no reason to be known to the authorities, being radicalised." says Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Southern, head of the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit.
"It makes working with communities all the more important if we are to stop young people from becoming involved in terrorist activities.
"If anyone is concerned that someone they know is thinking of travelling to Syria and Iraq it is very important that they tell the authorities as soon as possible.
"The police and other agencies can offer support to help safeguard individuals who are vulnerable to radicalisers.
"The sooner we can intervene, the better chance we have of preventing people from being drawn in to the conflict."
West Midlands Police has had a number of high profile Syria-related investigations that have resulted in people appearing in court. Next month two 22-year-olds from Handsworth will be sentenced for terrorism offences. Two others - a man and a woman - are due to stand trial in September and October.
"We have a number of other on-going investigations involving individuals suspected of fighting with proscribed groups," adds DCS Southern.
"Anyone who does travel to the region faces being questioned by police when they return. Every case is assessed individually but if there are grounds to suspect a person has been involved in terrorism they will be arrested.
"We are urging families to let us intervene at a much earlier stage to help safeguard young people.
"We understand there is a desire to help the suffering in Syria and encourage anyone wanting to play a part to donate to one of the established charities who are experienced in delivering aid to those in need."
