Slough: Asif Malik and Sara Kiran detained with children in Turkey after 'plotting Syria trip'

A missing Slough family have been detained in Turkey after allegedly plotting to travel to Syria.

Thames Valley Police launched an appeal to find Asif Malik, 31, his partner Sara Kiran, 29, and their four children, Zoha Malik, seven, Essa Malik, four, Zakariya Malik, two, and Yhaya Malik, one, after they received reports they planned to travel to the war-torn country.

Malik and Kiran were arrested in Ankara and their children were also taken into custody, a Turkish official confirmed, and deportation proceedings are under way.

Concerned relatives raised the alarm as police grew suspicious about online rhetoric from Islamic State (IS) as well as the family's direction of travel.

The family was last seen on 7 April and is believed to have boarded a ferry from Dover to Calais, France, at 12.30am on 8 April.

They are then thought to have travelled south through Europe, possibly by train, and through Budapest, Hungary, on or around 12 April.

The family of Sara Kiran has released a statement, pleading for her to return. They said: "We would like to urge you, Sara and Asif, to make contact with us and let us know that you and the children are safe.

"Sara, we want to let you know that we love you; we miss you, Asif and the grandchildren. You are not in trouble, we are not angry or upset, and we just want you to return home safely."

Controversial Muslim cleric Anjem Choudary previously confirmed Malik had been a member of proscribed group al-Muhajiroun and described him as a prominent member of the Muslim community.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are urgently looking into reports that six British nationals have been arrested in Turkey. We stand ready to provide consular assistance."