Britain:Magistrates in Coventry last night granted police an extra seven days to question nine men arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of preparing for a kidnap and execution plot apparently inspired by footage of Iraqi murders posted on the internet.
A man alleged to have been an intended victim is in protective police custody.
Britain's biggest police force meanwhile is to consider extra security measures to protect its Muslim officers. Several officers in London's Metropolitan police have raised fears that they could be targets of the alleged new UK jihadist tactic.
Muslim soldiers were given security advice but yesterday the Association of Muslim Police Officers was in talks with Met police chiefs and the force is expected to at least carry out an urgent risk assessment of the dangers Muslim officers face. Several say they have been threatened by Islamic extremists. Last year one Muslim officer asked to be moved from guarding the Israeli embassy.
Supt Del Babu of the Association of Muslim Police Officers said: "Some of our members have expressed concerns about their safety and welfare since the events in Birmingham. We want the Metropolitan Police Service to ensure there is sufficient support for Muslim officers if issues arise about their safety and welfare."
Armed police stood guard for yesterday's court appearances in Coventry of eight of the men arrested in raids early on Wednesday and a ninth was seized on a motorway later that day. West Midlands police had to seek an extension to hold them beyond 48 hours. It is understood that three of the men attended in person, while the rest chose not to go to court.
Police refused to comment last night on reports that officers were hunting for two other suspects, as the search of homes and businesses continued. At Elmbridge Road in Kingstanding, north of Birmingham city centre, police examined the large semi-detached house of a man identified by residents as a teacher.
Officers took a black Audi A4 from the drive. A neighbour said she knew the family well: "They have two kids. He's a handsome guy, tall, well-built." Others arrested include a businessman, a shop assistant and the owner of a takeaway.
Heavy police presences remained in Jackson Road, Alum Rock, a mile east of the city centre, where one of those arrested, Amjad Mahmood (29) lived and worked in the corner shop.
Police removed computer equipment from Blade, a cybercafe and phone shop on Stratford Road, south of the centre. Cardboard boxes had been prised open in a storeroom next to the shop, which has been accused of selling extremist material.
In the areas of the arrests, police handed out leaflets in English, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi and Hindi giving details of the raids and a confidential anti-terrorist hotline number.
"We want to reassure you that the police are not targeting communities or faiths but suspected criminals," the leaflet says. "Our role is to protect, reassure and support all communities. Our message to you is to be patient and vigilant."
- (Guardian service)