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Kidnapping plot search continues Kidnapping plot search continues
(40 minutes later)
Forensic officers have spent the night searching 12 Birmingham properties in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap and kill a Muslim soldier.Forensic officers have spent the night searching 12 Birmingham properties in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap and kill a Muslim soldier.
Police are continuing to question nine men arrested over what security sources say was a plan to film the soldier being executed and post it on the web.Police are continuing to question nine men arrested over what security sources say was a plan to film the soldier being executed and post it on the web.
A Muslim serviceman, who had served in Afghanistan and was on home leave, was thought to be the target of the plot.A Muslim serviceman, who had served in Afghanistan and was on home leave, was thought to be the target of the plot.
Police said the investigation was likely to take "days, if not weeks".Police said the investigation was likely to take "days, if not weeks".
Recruitment fearsRecruitment fears
Officers sealed off roads across the city and are continuing to search homes and commercial premises.Officers sealed off roads across the city and are continuing to search homes and commercial premises.
All nine were arrested under the Terrorism Act - meaning police have a maximum of 28 days to hold them. They are being held at police stations in the West Midlands.All nine were arrested under the Terrorism Act - meaning police have a maximum of 28 days to hold them. They are being held at police stations in the West Midlands.
Police have refused to confirm reports that a number of the suspects are being held at a high security police station in Coventry.
Home Secretary John Reid updated the Cabinet on the ongoing situation on Thursday morning, Downing Street sources told BBC News.Home Secretary John Reid updated the Cabinet on the ongoing situation on Thursday morning, Downing Street sources told BBC News.
BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said the Ministry of Defence was worried such alleged plots could hinder efforts to recruit more Muslims.BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said the Ministry of Defence was worried such alleged plots could hinder efforts to recruit more Muslims.
There are currently 248 Muslims in the armed forces - out of a total of 100,000 personnel.There are currently 248 Muslims in the armed forces - out of a total of 100,000 personnel.
Zeeshan Hashmi - whose brother L/Cpl Jabron Hashmi became the first British Muslim soldier to be killed in Afghanistan last July - said rumours he was the target of the alleged plot were untrue.Zeeshan Hashmi - whose brother L/Cpl Jabron Hashmi became the first British Muslim soldier to be killed in Afghanistan last July - said rumours he was the target of the alleged plot were untrue.
Mr Hashmi, from Bordesley Green in Birmingham, also served in Afghanistan but is now studying in Cambridge.Mr Hashmi, from Bordesley Green in Birmingham, also served in Afghanistan but is now studying in Cambridge.
He told BBC News: "Initially people thought it was I, but, no, to make it very, very clear, I wasn't at the centre of the plot."He told BBC News: "Initially people thought it was I, but, no, to make it very, very clear, I wasn't at the centre of the plot."
Wednesday's arrests - orchestrated by police and the security service MI5 - followed many months of activity.Wednesday's arrests - orchestrated by police and the security service MI5 - followed many months of activity.
Shortly after 0400 GMT, officers swooped on 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Alum Rock, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas and made eight arrests.Shortly after 0400 GMT, officers swooped on 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Alum Rock, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas and made eight arrests.
Among them were two houses and a general food store in Alum Rock and the Maktabah book store in Stratford Road, Sparkhill.Among them were two houses and a general food store in Alum Rock and the Maktabah book store in Stratford Road, Sparkhill.
'Psychological warfare'
Less than 12 hours later, police announced in a press conference they had arrested a ninth person on a motorway in the Birmingham area.Less than 12 hours later, police announced in a press conference they had arrested a ninth person on a motorway in the Birmingham area.
Assistant Chief Constable David Shaw, of West Midlands Police, told reporters: "That illustrates to you that this remains a dynamic, fluid operation and this is by no means finished." Sources 'confident'
He described being at "the foothills" of "a very, very major investigation". Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, said kidnappings in the UK would be "much nearer a form of psychological warfare that we've seen obviously elsewhere".
Security sources said a terror plot which was not aimed at mass casualties would mark "a different approach" to UK terrorism.
And Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, said kidnappings in the UK would be "much nearer a form of psychological warfare that we've seen obviously elsewhere".
People who got along with each other perfectly fine... are suddenly looking at their neighbours and thinking 'is this the enemy within?' Shabir Hussain
Human rights lawyer Amer Anwer said intelligence reports surrounding such arrests should not be taken as fact.Human rights lawyer Amer Anwer said intelligence reports surrounding such arrests should not be taken as fact.
People who got along with each other perfectly fine... are suddenly looking at their neighbours and thinking 'is this the enemy within?' Adam YosefSaltley Gate Peace Group Arrests anger community
"We should remember the Forest Gate incident where what we talked about was suicide bombs and belts that were supposed to have been found in the place and, in the end, it all turned out to be absolutely 100% wrong.""We should remember the Forest Gate incident where what we talked about was suicide bombs and belts that were supposed to have been found in the place and, in the end, it all turned out to be absolutely 100% wrong."
Last June's anti-terror raid in Forest Gate, north London, in which a man was shot in the shoulder, did not lead to any charges.Last June's anti-terror raid in Forest Gate, north London, in which a man was shot in the shoulder, did not lead to any charges.
But BBC correspondent Gordon Corera said security sources and police were confident about the intelligence that led to Wednesday's raids.But BBC correspondent Gordon Corera said security sources and police were confident about the intelligence that led to Wednesday's raids.
Many local people said they had been shocked by Wednesday's arrests and the scale of the operation.Many local people said they had been shocked by Wednesday's arrests and the scale of the operation.
'Pick up pieces' Police have set up an information line on 0121 626 6663 and are distributing thousands of leaflets to offer reassurance to local people.
Adam Yosef, of Birmingham inter-faith organisation Saltley Gate Peace Group, said the raids would "damage the reputation of the community".
"People who got along with each other perfectly fine - Muslims and non-Muslims, Muslims and Muslims even - are suddenly looking at their neighbours and thinking 'is this the enemy within?'," he told BBC News.
The raids have also stirred some resentment among people who have seen their community targeted before - but without any charges being made.
Ila Ditta, a committee member of a local mosque, said the danger was that, whatever the outcome of the police investigation, "suspicion remains with those people and with those communities and we remain to pick up the pieces".
Police have set up an information line on 0121 626 6663, and are distributing thousands of leaflets to offer reassurance to local people.
What impact has this story had on your community? Do you think recruitment into the army from muslim communities could be affected? Tell us your thoughts and experiences by filling out the form below. What impact has this story had on your community? Do you think recruitment into the army from Muslim communities could be affected? Tell us your thoughts and experiences by filling out the form below.
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