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| Police raids target 'terror plot' | Police raids target 'terror plot' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Eight people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act in Birmingham after a "significant" operation involving police and security service MI5. | Eight people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act in Birmingham after a "significant" operation involving police and security service MI5. |
| A number of addresses in the city have been sealed off after morning raids. | A number of addresses in the city have been sealed off after morning raids. |
| Senior security sources have told the BBC the raids were targeting a kidnap plot rather than one aimed at causing mass casualties. | Senior security sources have told the BBC the raids were targeting a kidnap plot rather than one aimed at causing mass casualties. |
| The six-month operation involved the Midlands counter terrorism unit, West Midlands Police and the Met Police. | The six-month operation involved the Midlands counter terrorism unit, West Midlands Police and the Met Police. |
| It was not necessarily a government official and not necessarily someone high profile but a certain type of individual was possibly the target of a kidnapping The BBC's Gordon Corera | It was not necessarily a government official and not necessarily someone high profile but a certain type of individual was possibly the target of a kidnapping The BBC's Gordon Corera |
| BBC correspondent Gordon Corera said the plot was thought to involve "some kind of kidnapping - possibly of an individual". | BBC correspondent Gordon Corera said the plot was thought to involve "some kind of kidnapping - possibly of an individual". |
| "It was not necessarily a government official and not necessarily someone high profile but a certain type of individual was possibly the target of a kidnapping," he added. | "It was not necessarily a government official and not necessarily someone high profile but a certain type of individual was possibly the target of a kidnapping," he added. |
| A kidnapping would mirror tactics employed by terrorists in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, where videos of hostages have also been made. | |
| Finding evidence to back up the suspicions was "key" to the inquiry now, he added. | Finding evidence to back up the suspicions was "key" to the inquiry now, he added. |
| Security sources said a terror plot not aimed at mass casualties would mark "a different approach to terrorism in the UK". | Security sources said a terror plot not aimed at mass casualties would mark "a different approach to terrorism in the UK". |
| At least four addresses in Birmingham were targeted as part of the 0400 GMT raids. | At least four addresses in Birmingham were targeted as part of the 0400 GMT raids. |
| Two residential houses and a general store in the Alum Rock area were raided as well as a book store in the Sparkhill area. | |
| Police have cordoned off roads around Jackson Road and Foxton Road, in Alum Rock, and Poplar Road and Stratford Road, in Sparkhill. | Police have cordoned off roads around Jackson Road and Foxton Road, in Alum Rock, and Poplar Road and Stratford Road, in Sparkhill. |
| Baswant Kant, who lives in Stratford Road, near the junction with Poplar Road, said he saw "a lot" of police activity in the early hours of Wednesday morning. | Baswant Kant, who lives in Stratford Road, near the junction with Poplar Road, said he saw "a lot" of police activity in the early hours of Wednesday morning. |
| "There were about 55 police officers who turned up in white vans," he added. | "There were about 55 police officers who turned up in white vans," he added. |
| "They went into shops and restaurants along the road - a lot of people got arrested." | "They went into shops and restaurants along the road - a lot of people got arrested." |
| Vehicles, including a white Transit van, have been removed from Alum Road. | Vehicles, including a white Transit van, have been removed from Alum Road. |
| Public co-operation | Public co-operation |
| The eight are suspected of "the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism". | The eight are suspected of "the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism". |
| The Home Office said Home Secretary John Reid had been fully briefed. | The Home Office said Home Secretary John Reid had been fully briefed. |
| "This operation is a reminder of the real and serious nature of the terrorist threat we face," a spokeswoman said. | "This operation is a reminder of the real and serious nature of the terrorist threat we face," a spokeswoman said. |
| In a statement, West Midlands Police asked for the "continued support and co-operation of the public". | In a statement, West Midlands Police asked for the "continued support and co-operation of the public". |
| "Our message to people living in the West Midlands is to remain vigilant," the statement added. | "Our message to people living in the West Midlands is to remain vigilant," the statement added. |
| The raided houses are now being searched by officers. | The raided houses are now being searched by officers. |
Are you in the area? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in the area? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |