This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6315989.stm

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Police raids target 'terror plot' Police raids target 'terror plot'
(about 1 hour 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 BBC News the raids were focused on a plot to target and kidnap a serving member of the British armed forces.
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 'Different approach'
BBC correspondent Gordon Corera said the plot was thought to involve "some kind of kidnapping - possibly of an individual". BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford said sources close to the investigation said the aim of the alleged plot was to kidnap a serving member of the armed forces, perhaps while they were on home leave.
"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. The Ministry of Defence said it could not confirm or deny reports of such a plot.
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.
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. Police said 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Washwood Heath, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas of the city were targeted as part of the 0400 GMT raids.
Two houses in the Alum Rock area, as well as the Khan General Store in Jackson Road, were raided. All are still being searched.
Two houses and a general store in Alum Rock, near Washwood Heath, were raided.
The Maktabah book store in Stratford Road, Sparkhill, which is believed to sell Islamic literature, was also 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.
Police have not confirmed any of the raided addresses.
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.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.
"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," he said.
Mohamed Barber told BBC News his cousin was one of the men arrested in Alum Rock.Mohamed Barber told BBC News his cousin was one of the men arrested in Alum Rock.
"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."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". Abdul Ghaffoor, a regular shopper at the raided store, said he had never heard politics being discussed in the shop.
Vehicles, including a white Transit van, have been removed from Alum Rock.
Public co-operationPublic co-operation
Saqib Hussain, of Sparkhill, 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.
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 100You 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 videoClick 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.
Name:
 Name: