Five arrests in terror operation

Three teenage girls are part of a family of five who have been arrested in east London in a counter-terrorism probe linked to Syria.

Police said they were held on suspicion of “possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”.

The five were arrested on Wednesday morning and are made up of a 51-year-old man, a 53-year-old woman, and three girls aged 16, 17 and 19.

They were a husband, wife and their three daughters, reports said.

Police said the arrests are part of an ongoing inquiry which previously saw the youngest girl arrested last month on suspicion of preparation of terrorism.

It is understood the investigation is linked to Syria and potential plans to travel to the country.

The 16-year-old suspect is currently on police bail to a date in September pending further inquiries in relation to that matter, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command attended the address unarmed.

In addition, the man was detained on suspicion of possessing false identity documents “with improper intention”.