Two men arrested in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, on suspicion of involvement in a terrorism plot have been released without charge.

The men, aged 52 and 21, were detained on Tuesday on suspicion of “being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism” and two properties were raided in the Savile Town area of the town.

Police said on Saturday that their investigation was continuing, but that their inquiries had satisfied them there were no grounds to charge the men with any terrorism offences.

Ch Supt Steve Cotter, the district commander of Kirklees police, said: “I’d like to thank local residents for their support and patience over the last few days, which have understandably caused some concern within our communities.

“Public safety remains our utmost priority and I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of Kirklees.

“As always, we would encourage people to come forward if they have concerns about suspicious activity. We work very closely with our colleagues at Counter Terrorism Policing North East and are committed to ensuring that any information we receive continues to be acted upon quickly and efficiently.”

Counter Terrorism Policing North East, one of five such units in England and Wales, said on Tuesday that the arrests had been planned and were part of a “proactive, intelligence-led investigation”.



Neighbours reported being woken shortly after midnight on Tuesday by loud bangs as police gained entry to an address on the town’s Headfield Road. Forensic officers were seen searching through clothes on a rail in an upstairs bedroom, while police looked under drains and began dismantling a small brick wall in the front yard.

Locals said they were dismayed that Dewsbury was again in the news for the wrong reasons. The town’s Savile Town area was home to Mohammad Sidique Khan, the ringleader of the 7/7 bombers.

Seventeen-year-old Talha Asmal, also from Savile Town, was dubbed ‘Britain’s youngest suicide bomber’ when he carried out an attack in Iraq after travelling to the country with his friend Hassan Munshi. Munshi’s brother Hammaad was arrested in 2006 aged 15 and jailed for two years in 2008 for being part of an al-Qaida cell.