Britons arrested after trying to enter war-torn Syria released without charge

Councillor Shakil Ahmed, father of Waheed Ahmed says his son is happy to be back with his family

Six people arrested by UK police over alleged terror offences after a group was stopped at the Turkey-Syria border have been released without charge.

Five people aged between 21 and 47 were arrested earlier this month on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

A 30-year-old man, also from Rochdale, has also been released without charge.

One of the five detained in Turkey was Waheed Ahmed, 21.

His father, Rochdale Labour councillor Shakil Ahmed said: "Waheed is very happy to be back with his family.

"I believe it is important to remind some of the media and fellow politicians that all people should be regarded as innocent unless proven otherwise.

"We should be careful not to express negative comment prior to the completion of an investigation or court process otherwise we risk stigmatising and demonising a family as well as potentially jeopardising peoples' right to a fair trial.

"This has been a very stressful time for our family and friends. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our lawyers and everyone else who have supported us through this difficult time include MEP Afzal Khan. We ask that you respect our privacy and allow us time to get our lives back to normality."

Simon Danczuk said he was pleased to hear from the police that the people arrested on the Turkey/Syria border posed no threat to Rochdale, but said he was still very disappointed at the unwelcome publicity they had brought on the town.

He commented: "It is not helpful seeing a young Rochdale resident being arrested on the Syrian border grinning at the cameras and making a joke about it.

"Waheed and others still should explain what they were doing there, because they have caused a lot of unnecessary anxiety and tensions are running high in the town as a result of their foolish actions.

"My office has been inundated with calls and letters from people who were extremely angry at the bad publicity they generated.

"For two weeks, while the family were detained by police in Turkey and here in the UK, we've had the media crawling over our town as a result and I hope they recognise the harm their actions have caused."

The five were arrested on their return to the UK as part of ongoing investigations by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit.

No evidence was uncovered to suggest any imminent threat to the communities of Rochdale or the UK.