Families told to keep police informed after West Midlands terror attack plotters foiled
The West Midlands counter terrorism boss today has called on family members who suspect their relatives of harbouring extremist views to tell police.
Chief Superintendent Matthew Ward issued the plea after three members of the same family were convicted of plotting a terrorist attack in Birmingham.
Ummariyat Mirza, his wife Madihah Taheerand, both 21, and his sister Zainub Mirza, 23, planned a bloodthirsty Westminster-style knife rampage on the streets of the West Midlands.
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Ch Supt Ward said: "We are seeing a greater threat in terrorism.
"This case was one of the plots foiled recently referred to by the Director General of MI5, and it is really important that people who have concerns speak up.
"Terrorism is going to include family.
"There are going to be cases where family members suspect their relatives may be sympathetic to terrorism.
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"We have seen cases, such as this one, where family members have not spoke up or reported their concerns.
"Those concerns could be about someone's behaviour, something they've said, or the way they are acting.
"Those who are radicalised normally do give off some signs that those close to them notice.
"What I would say is pick up the phone and tell us your concerns – you could prevent innocent people going through heartache of a deadly attack."
Ch Supt Ward said that police assess all intelligence and that in many cases concerns turn out to be unfounded.
With a spate of terrorist attacks in the UK this year, he said the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit was well-resourced.
He said: "We are very well established and highly experienced. In the West Midlands we work closely with other counter terrorism units, MI5, the security services and intelligence agencies. The current terror threat level is severe, meaning a terror attack in the UK is likely.
"We have seen it risen to critical twice this year and then downgraded, and we remain in constant contact with the Home Office and the Government about what we need in the future to keep people in the UK and the West Midlands safe.
Anyone who sees or hears something that could be terrorist-related should act on their instincts and call the police in confidence on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, always dial 999. Visit gov.uk/ACT for more information, including how to report extremist or terrorist content that is online.
