Two Birmingham terror suspects are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ court

Two men, one of whom is a teenager, from Birmingham are due to appear in court charged with a terrorism offence.

The men – aged 20 and 17 from Birmingham - were charged on November 8 (Tuesday). The offence they were charged with is engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorism under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Both have been remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court November 9 (today). The men were arrested on November 2 by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU.

Counter terrorism measures in West Midlands

With Project Servator, the authorities aim to disrupt all criminal activity, including terrorism. Specially trained officers are part of this project and they are trained to spot someone who could be about to commit a crime.

Project Servator teams were patrolling West Midlands during the Commonwealth Games 2022 as well. They could be in uniform or not in uniform.

West Midlands Police asks residents to stay vigilant and report anything that looks suspicious.

Increase in terrorism-related activity in the UK

There were 203 arrests for terrorism-related activity in the year ending June 30, 2022, 20 more than in the previous 12-month period (an increase of 11%), according to Government data.

Of the 203 arrests for terrorist-related activity, 49 (24%) resulted in a charge, of which 44 were for terrorism-related offences, 94 (46%) persons were released under investigation, 50 people (25%) were released without charge and 10 (5%) faced alternative action, for example receiving a caution or recalled to prison.

In the year ending June 30, 2022, of the 36 individuals arrested under s41 of Terrorism Act 2000 in Great Britain who were subsequently detained.