British woman arrested on suspicion of preparing travel to Syria

A 30-year-old woman from Leicester has been arrested on suspicion of preparing to travel to Syria to engage in terrorist acts, British police said Wednesday.

The unnamed woman was arrested at Birmingham Airport by officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit on Wednesday morning.

The woman's home address and another associated address were searched, police said.

There were three children traveling with the woman. Police said they were working with partner agencies to ensure the children's welfare was safeguarded.

Police officers have a maximum of 36 hours to question the woman before charging, releasing, bailing or applying to a court for a warrant of further detention, according to British law.

A total of 43 British women and girls reported missing by their families in the last 12 months are believed to have traveled to Syria, British counter terrorism authorities said earlier this month. Enditem