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Syria crisis: Fears grow for three UK schoolgirls Syria crisis: Fears grow for three UK schoolgirls
(about 3 hours later)
Fears are growing for the safety of three east London schoolgirls who police believe are trying to cross the Turkish-Syrian border to join the Islamic State terrorist group. Fears are growing for the safety of three east London schoolgirls who police believe are trying to cross the Turkish-Syrian border to join Islamic State (IS) extremists.
Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16 and their unnamed 15-year-old friend flew from Gatwick to Turkey on Tuesday.Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16 and their unnamed 15-year-old friend flew from Gatwick to Turkey on Tuesday.
Police have issued an urgent appeal for help in finding them, suggesting they are "extremely vulnerable".Police have issued an urgent appeal for help in finding them, suggesting they are "extremely vulnerable".
The trio are friends with a fourth girl who travelled to Syria in December.The trio are friends with a fourth girl who travelled to Syria in December.
Abdul Samid, a parent governor at Bethnal Green Academy, which all four girls attended, said there was "absolutely not" any radicalisation at the school. Muslim leaders have said they are "extremely concerned" for the girls, who attend attend Bethnal Green Academy.
"I'm 100% confident - with the head and the senior leadership team and the whole school - that we've done everything to put in measures that safeguard all the children that attend the school," he said. 'Serious ramifications'
He said he did not believe the girls were trying to get to Syria. Worshippers at the East London Mosque were asked during Friday night prayers to come forward if they had any information to help the girls return home safely.
"I still don't believe that they are going anywhere other than a holiday - because this is how they were dressed and this is how they looked and this is how they packed," he added. Mosque spokesman Salman Farsi said the trio, who have been described as "straight-A students", had been manipulated.
He said: "They have been misled. I do not know what was promised to them. It is just sad. We have not had anything like this before in our community.
"I do not know what was told to them but if they do go to Syria, it is a war zone and there are serious ramifications for going in to a war zone."
Mussurut Zia, general secretary of the Muslim Women's Network, said the missing girls would not know what lay in store in Syria.
She told BBC Breakfast: "I don't think for one instant that these people, Isis [Islamic State] and their likes, are going to treat these girls in the right way.
"They won't have rights, they won't be equal to their male counterparts and I don't think that they know this at the moment and they're going to be in for a real shock."
She called for more training for airport staff to ask questions of those flying to border countries like Turkey and raised the possibility of parental consent to be given when teenagers are travelling abroad alone.
'Grave danger''Grave danger'
However, Metropolitan Police Commander Richard Walton said he believed the girls intended to travel to Syria, where they would be "in grave danger". Metropolitan Police Commander Richard Walton said he believed the girls would be "in grave danger" if they made it to Syria.
He said he hoped they would "hear our concerns for their safety and have the courage to return now, back to their families who are so worried about them."He said he hoped they would "hear our concerns for their safety and have the courage to return now, back to their families who are so worried about them."
Police hope the girls may still be in Turkey, as severe winter weather is currently affecting transport links in the country.Police hope the girls may still be in Turkey, as severe winter weather is currently affecting transport links in the country.
The three teenage girls were last seen on Tuesday morning, when they told their parents they were going out for the day, police said.The three teenage girls were last seen on Tuesday morning, when they told their parents they were going out for the day, police said.
CCTV at Gatwick airport captured the girls as they passed through security, before boarding a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul.CCTV at Gatwick airport captured the girls as they passed through security, before boarding a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul.
Shamima is possibly travelling under the name of her 17-year-old sister Aklima Begum, police said.Shamima is possibly travelling under the name of her 17-year-old sister Aklima Begum, police said.
The third girl is not being named at the request of her family.The third girl is not being named at the request of her family.
Abdul Samid, a parent governor at Bethnal Green Academy, said there was "absolutely not" any radicalisation at the school.
"I'm 100% confident - with the head and the senior leadership team and the whole school - that we've done everything to put in measures that safeguard all the children that attend the school," he said.
He said he did not believe the girls were trying to get to Syria.
"I still don't believe that they are going anywhere other than a holiday - because this is how they were dressed and this is how they looked and this is how they packed," he added.
Police have issued a description of the three girls:Police have issued a description of the three girls:
It is thought more than 50 British women have travelled to Syria via Turkey to join Islamic State to become so-called "jihadi brides". Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The idea of 15-year-old British schoolgirls setting off to Syria is very disturbing, and shows that more action is urgently needed to stop young people being drawn into extremism and conflict, and to help families and communities who are trying to counteract extremist recruitment messages."
Sara Khan from Inspire, an organisation which works to counter extremism and gender inequality, said girls were often convinced to travel to Syria by young jihadi men they met online. It is thought more than 50 British women have travelled to Syria via Turkey to join IS to become so-called "jihadi brides".
"These are young men who will often befriend these girls over a number of weeks," she said.
"They will shower praise and flattery on them, win their affections, try and convince these young girls that I as a man I love you."
Those with information can call the free Anti-Terrorist Hotline number on 0800 789 321.Those with information can call the free Anti-Terrorist Hotline number on 0800 789 321.