Counter-terrorism police arrest three in Syria offences probe

Counter-terrorism police have made three arrests linked to Syria in a series of raids.

Officers in Birmingham held a 21-year-old man at a property in the Handsworth area on Tuesday on suspicion of preparing to travel to the war-torn nation to join Islamic State.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Officers are this morning continuing to carry out searches at the address.

"The arrest was pre-planned and intelligence-led. There was no immediate threat to public safety."

In a separate operation, officers from Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command arrested two men in south London at around 5.30am for allegedly raising funds for terrorism in Syria.

The suspects, both aged 24, were taken to police stations in south London while their homes were searched.

Police also held a third man, aged 25, on suspicion of possession of cannabis with intent to supply in a raid on another address.

Officers searched the raided properties as well as another two residential addresses in the same area.