Teen arrested on terror offence in connection with Dewsbury boys disappearance

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence as part of the search for two Dewsbury boys thought to be in Syria.
Hassan Munshi and Talha AsmaHassan Munshi and Talha Asma
Hassan Munshi and Talha Asma

The 17-year-old, who is also from Dewsbury, was arrested back in April under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.

A spokesperson for the North East Counter Terrorism Unit said the teenager’s arrest on April 4 was part of the search for Hassan Munshi and Talha Asmal - the 17-year-old Dewsbury teens who are thought to have fled to the war-torn country after travelling to Turkey on March 31.

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The spokesperson did confirm that the teenager arrested was not Hassan or Talha and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

They were last seen by their families on that day when they are believed to have flown from Manchester to Dalaman.

Hassan – a former pupil of Dewsbury’s Westborough High School – and Talha – a pupil at Mirfield Free Grammar’s sixth form – are now thought to have crossed the border into Syria.

West Yorkshire Police and the North East Counter Terrorism Unit said they were “extremely concerned” for the safety of the two teenagers and urged anyone with information to come forward.

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Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom added: “Syria is an extremely dangerous place and the public will be aware of the dangers these boys may face.

“The choice of returning home from Syria is often taken away from those that come under the control of Islamic State, leaving their families in the UK devastated and with very few options to secure their safe return.”