Deadline for terror arrest nine

Two of the men were arrested in Blackburn

Police have a few more hours to charge or release nine men arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences two weeks ago.

They were detained in raids in north London, Lancashire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire on 3 August.

Under the Terrorism Act the men can be held for a maximum of two weeks from the time of arrest.

They have been held at the high-security Paddington Green police station, London, since their arrest.

Thirteen men were arrested in the raids.

Two were freed without charge; two more are no longer being questioned under the Terrorism Act but were re-arrested on suspicion of other offences.

One was remanded in custody earlier this month charged with forging ID and the other is being held over immigration matters.

In custody

The nine terror suspects, who are all reported to be of Asian origin, are suspected of involvement in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Mohammed Dawoud, 19, of Willesden, London, appeared before Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court on Monday accused of possessing forged identity documents.

He was remanded in custody until 16 August.

A 24-year-old man, who has not been named, was bailed at to reappear in November while inquiries continue into the alleged possession of forged identity documents.