Meeting in Birmingham to discuss Syrian conflict

The Head of West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Southern, has addressed Imams and religious leaders at Birmingham Central Mosque. She has made a plea to Muslim leaders and families to stop young people travelling to fight jihad.

She said: "Is it worse to be in prison (if arrested and convicted of terrorism offences) in this country or to be trapped out there with no chance of coming back?"

Mashuq Ally, Director of equalities and human resources at Birmingham City Council, said: "Many young British men end up being hostage to the militia groups they went to help."

The Head of West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit is today meeting with Imams and religious leaders to discuss conflicts in Syria.

Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Southern will address the audience at Birmingham Central Mosque.

Safeguarding young people who may be persuaded to travel Syria will also be discussed.

In April, police appealed to Muslim women to come forward if they had concerns over male relatives travelling to Syria to fight.