Birmingham teenagers arrested on suspicion of distributing terrorist publication

Two teenagers have been arrested in dawn raids on suspicion of distributing a terrorist publication. The pair, both aged 18, were detained at their homes in the Alum Rock and Washwood Heath areas of Birmingham at 7am on Tuesday.

The planned and intelligence-led raids were carried out by officers from West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit.

Police arrested the two teenagers on suspicion of distributing a terrorist publication contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Officers said the alleged offences relate to the supply of a suspected ideological text rather than an operational manual, such as bomb making instructions.

They are now being questioned at a police station somewhere in the West Midlands.