Nine Britons from Rochdale arrested trying to enter Syria

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the five adults aged 21,22,22,24 and 47, and the four children aged one, three, eight and 11, are believed to be related.

In footage shot by the Turkish Dogan News Agency (above) the group is seen being taken inside a building in Hatay where they were given health check-ups and were fingerprinted.

One of the nine Britons was said to be the son of a Labour councillor for Rochdale, he confirmed on Thursday.

Shakil Ahmed, who represents the Kingsway ward on Rochdale Borough Council, said he wants his son to come home “as soon as possible so I can find out what’s going on”.

A Turkish official said the nine Britons were captured in Ogulpinar, one of the border villages of Reyhanli town.

The GMP and North West Counter Terrorism have launched a joint investigation into their reasons for travel and apparent attempt to enter Syria.

GMP Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett, said: “what is obviously concerning is why a family were seemingly attempting to take very young and vulnerable children into a warzone; such a volatile and dangerous environment is no place for them whatsoever…

“One of our primary concerns is the safety and welfare of the young children and we are working with partners to ensure a full safeguarding strategy is in place upon their return to the UK”

A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are in contact with the Turkish authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance.” The GMP said their was no evidence of any imminent threat to Rochdale or the UK in general.

Turkey is believed to be preparing to deport the group.

The GMP said there was no evidence of any imminent threat to Rochdale or the UK in general.

Assistant Chief Constable Wiggett added: “I would also like to take the opportunity to remind everyone of their responsibility to help us in our fight against extremism and prevent anyone thinking of travelling to Syria or other warzones from going.

“This is especially difficult for parents or people with close relationships with those people in question but it is these people who are most likely to spot the early signs of radicalisation.

“If anyone has any information about individuals or groups they think are a concern or vulnerable to radicalisation they can call us in complete and utter confidence.”

Anyone with information was asked to call the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.

Missing medics

Turkish officials had earlier said they did not think the nine detainees were part of a group of foreign medical students and doctors who were thought to have travelled to Syria to work in hospitals controlled by Islamic State in March.

Ten of that group, aged between 19-25, flew from the Sudanese capital Khartoum to Istanbul on 12 March.

Turkish lawmaker Mehmet Ali Edipoglu told Reuters: “When we heard that nine Britons were captured, the families [of 11 doctors working at a hospital controlled by Islamic State] who are in Hatay called me and asked if they were their children.

“They were very excited, so was I. Since I am currently in Ankara, I have spoken to security forces in Hatay and asked if these Britons are the ones we are seeking. Unfortunately they are not.

“This is another British group of fighters, militants, who were detained as they were crossing into Syria. This is the information I got,” he said.

British recruits

Britain’s security services estimate that some 600 Britons have gone to Syria or Iraq to join militant groups.

About half are believed to have returned to the UK, according to the Met Police.

Islamic State’s attempt to create a Sunni Muslim “caliphate” by violent means has attracted thousands of recruits from Europe and around the world.

Three British schoolgirls were thought to have travelled through Turkey to Syria in February to join the militant group, in one of the most high-profile recent cases.

Their families and British authorities have made repeated appeals for them to return home.