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Police raids target 'terror plot' Police raids target 'terror plot'
(30 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 CoreraIt 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.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. Two houses in the Alum Rock area, as well as the Khan General Store in Jackson Road, were raided.
The Maktabah book store in Stratford Road, Sparkhill, which is believed to sell Islamic literature, was also raided.
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 about 55 police officers "turned up in white vans" in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
"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," he said.
"They went into shops and restaurants along the road - a lot of people got arrested." Mohamed Barber told BBC News his cousin was one of the men arrested in Alum Rock.
Vehicles, including a white Transit van, have been removed from Alum Road. "We can vouch for him he is innocent. He doesn't even have time to go to Friday prayers - that's how busy he is," he added.
And Sparkhill man Saqib Hussain told BBC News he had visited the raided book shop many times and "had never seen any suspicions of terrorist activity".
Vehicles, including a white Transit van, have been removed from Alum Rock.
Public co-operationPublic 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.

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