Terrorism suspicions 'She had been playing a joke'

A 16 year old girl from Manchester was arrested on suspicion of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism, as police swooped on her home at 8pm on Friday. The raid was prompted as a 14 year old boy the girl associated with was arrested 24 hours before. Both teenagers were released on bail however their mobiles and other devices were seized. The mother of the sixteen year old told the Manchester Evening News 'I am not sure what happened. I think she might have been playing a joke with a friend.'

I think this shows how careful people have to be when using social media sites and even private messaging. Although both suspects were very young the case still involved the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, The Tactical Aid Unit, and both Greater Manchester and Lancashire Police. This shows the severity of such suspicions and how so many people have to get involved which is a waste of valuable police time if like the mother suggests it was a young girl 'playing a joke with a friend'.