Community's concerns over raids

Sonia Deol hosts the Asian Network's breakfast radio show

The arrest of nine people in Birmingham under the Terrorism Act has prompted a host of calls to the BBC's Asian Network.

Listeners called Sonia Deol's breakfast show with concerns over the police handling of the situation and whether charges would be brought.

Ms Deol said she thought people in the community felt they lacked information about the raids.

"People can't believe they are part of what is a huge story," she said.

"I think they want to co-operate with police but they are a little suspicious over where all this is going to go.

"People are annoyed with the way it all happened, with the raids in the morning. They don't understand why police would need to do it that way.

"I think people feel they are lacking information at the moment."

I think the feeling among the community is that they want to co-operate with police but they are wondering if there is any real evidence to bring charges Sonia Deol Terror arrests anger community

Eight people were arrested early on Wednesday on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism as police carried out raids on 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Washwood Heath, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas of Birmingham.

A ninth was later arrested during the afternoon on a motorway in the city area.

Ms Deol said a lot of people texting the show raised concerns that police had previously arrested people under the Terrorism Act who had subsequently been released without charge.

"A lot of people who texted in think this is what is going to happen," the presenter said.

"I think the feeling among the community is that they want to co-operate with police but they are wondering if there is any real evidence to bring charges against these people."