Four from Rochdale arrested at Manchester Airport on suspicion of terrorism

Four people from Rochdale have been arrested at Manchester Airport on suspicion of terrorism.

The four are aged between 22 and 47, police said.

Two others were arrested previously as part of the same investigation, launched after nine people were stopped on the Turkey-Syria border on 1 April.

Waheed Ahmed, the son of Labour councillor, Shakil Ahmed was arrested at Birmingham Airport in the early hours of Tuesday (14 April).

A 30-year-old man in the Rochdale area was arrested on Monday (13 April).

The six arrested people remain in custody.

An investigation was launched after nine people were stopped by Turkish authorities at the Turkey/Syria border.

The five adults and four children are from the same family and currently living in Rochdale.

Officers are working to establish their reason for travel and apparent attempted entry into Syria.

As part of investigation a number of houses in the Rochdale borough were searched.

No evidence was uncovered to suggest any imminent threat to the communities of Rochdale or the U.K.

Officers continue to work closely with Rochdale Borough Council, local partners, and faith leaders as part of the 'Prevent' initiative.