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Friday April 6, 2018
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No. 836
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‘Explosions’ heard as police blast their way into properties
TWO HELD OVER ‘TERROR PLOT’ The bungalow on Headfield Road, Dewsbury, targeted by police. Inset: The other property raided
TWO Dewsbury men are being held on terror charges after pre-planned police raids. The men, aged 52 and 21 and believed to be father and son, were arrested early on Tuesday morning after armed police swooped on Headfield Road. Sources within the Savile Town community claimed the men may have been planning to target a nearby leisure complex. People across Dewsbury reported being woken by what were described as “explosions” as counter terrorism police entered a bungalow at 149 Headfield Road, and a detached property at 237 Headfield
Road, opposite the junction with Ashfield. On Wednesday the first property – believed to be rented out by a Leeds-based owner – was boarded up and a car in the drive had its registration plate removed. A number of officers were still searching the other house, which according to the Kirklees electoral register is home to Syedshah Ahmed, Hasaan and Samama Syed, Ariba Syeda and Samina Syeda. The two men were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Police have since been granted until April 10 to question the pair. Residents said they heard loud
bangs as the raid was carried out, with police acknowledging ‘flashbang’ grenades were used as part of the operation to gain access to the houses. Israr Hussain, 41, a taxi driver who lives near one of the arrested men, described being woken up by a big bang while smoke was filling the street. He said: “Police told us not to come near so I stayed inside and watched out of my window. “There were armed police, all in black, with black face masks ... I’d say five to seven of them. “I saw them take a young lad away. He was Asian and in his 20s with a beard and shoulder-length hair, wearing western clothing. He wasn’t protesting or anything. They
put him in an unmarked car and took him away.” At the house, a team of forensic officers were seen searching through clothes on a rail in an upstairs bedroom. Police officers looked under drains and dismantled a small brick wall, with most of the road cordoned off for the duration of Tuesday. A spokesman for the Counter Terrorism Policing North East said: “We appreciate local people may have concerns as a result of this activity and we are grateful for their patience and understanding while these enquiries are carried out. “We would also like to reassure them that the arrests were pre-
planned and part of a proactive, intelligence-led investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East. “Anyone with concerns is asked to contact their local neighbourhood policing team on 101.” Supt Marianne Huison, of Kirklees Police, said: “I understand our local communities will have concerns about this morning’s police activity but I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of West Yorkshire. “We work very closely with our colleagues in CT Policing North East and with local partners and we will ensure we maintain these Continued on Page 2
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