Four people arrested at Manchester Airport on suspicion of terrorism

It follows investigations launched after nine people from the same family allegedly attempted to cross into Syria from Turkey

Four people have been arrested at Manchester Airport on suspicion of terrorism (Getty)

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism at Manchester Airport, as part of investigations launched by police after nine people were detained in Turkey after allegedly attempting to cross into Syria.

The four arrested were aged between 22 and 47, Greater Manchester Police said. It follows the arrest of 21-year-old Waheed Ahmed, the son of Rochdale Labour councillor Shakil Ahmed, at Birmingham Airport on Tuesday.

A 31-year-old man was also arrested in Rochdale on Tuesday.

Police said they are attempting to establish why the group of nine people, all from the same family and which included four children, had apparently attempted to cross the border into the war torn country.

All six people arrested, which includes two women aged 22 and 47, have been detained under the Terrorism Act and remain in police custody.

Labour councillor Shakil Ahmed said he had believed his son had been in Birmingham on a work placement when he discovered Waheed had been detained in Turkey.

He said he was “shocked, worried and extremely upset” to hear that his son had been arrested on the Syria-Turkey border, adding that it was a “total mystery” as to why his son was there.

One of the Britons detained for allegedly trying to cross into Syria (Anadolu via Getty Images)

Detained British people leave an hospital after they undergo medical check up and fingerprinting (Getty Images)

Detained Britons leave an hospital after they undergo medical check up and fingerprinting in Hatay (Getty Images)

“My son is a good Muslim and his loyalties belong to Britain, so I don’t understand what he’s doing there. If I thought for a second that he was in danger or being radicalised, I would have reported him to the authorities,” he said at the time.

Police searched the councillor’s home after Waheed’s arrest in Turkey, but Greater Manchester police said it had uncovered “no evidence whatsoever” of any imminent threat to Rochdale.

In a statement today police said: “Officers continue to work closely with Rochdale Borough Council, local partners, and faith leaders as part of the 'Prevent' initiative.”

Additional reporting by PA