Two more held in car deaths probe

Detectives in Britain investigating the deaths of three men who were struck by a car while guarding shops from looters have arrested two more suspects.

Earlier today officers were given more time to question three suspects already in custody.

Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, were all pronounced dead in hospital on Wednesday after being hit by a car in Dudley Road, Winson Green, Birmingham.

Detective Superintendent Tim Baker, of West Midlands Police, told a press conference that five men aged between 16 and 28, all from the Birmingham area, were currently in custody on suspicion of murder.

Two were arrested late last night and Solihull magistrates earlier gave police until 10pm tonight to question the other three.

Mr Baker said officers had already recovered two cars in the course of the investigation.

He said a black Mazda, registration CN06 SHZ, had been found burnt-out very close to the crime scene.

A black Ford Fiesta, registration BT11 GTY, has also been recovered, and police are interested in locating a black Audi A3 which was nearby at the time of the deaths.

Mr Baker said more than 70 police officers and 15 police support staff were involved in the investigation and 400 exhibits had been collected.

He added: “The response from the community has been overwhelming. A number of witnesses came forward and to date we have obtained over 70 witness statements.

“There is a significant amount of CCTV evidence that has also been recovered and is currently being viewed.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anybody with any information that has not yet come forward.

“Regardless of how insignificant they may see their evidence being, it may prove critical in order to get justice done for the families and the local community.”

He also appealed for anybody with knowledge of the owners of the cars or anyone who may have driven the vehicles to come forward.

Also speaking at the press conference, the brothers’ uncle, Abdullah Khan, 58, said: “This was not about race, this was not about religion – this was about a pure criminal act.”

Mr Khan told reporters his nephews were “hard-working young men” who gave their lives trying to protect their community.

He added: “We have lost two sons, which has left their family in complete shock and devastation.

“What we want is justice for our family.”

Mr Khan said: “All they wanted to do was protect their business and other businesses in the community.

“I remember talking to Shazad a few days before and he was looking forward to the birth of his first child in a few months but that was not meant to be.

“A father who will never hold his child, a child who will never be held by his father, a wife without a husband, parents who lost two sons

“Words can never express what we are going through in this moment. We will have to go through this journey of pain and suffering. Nothing will bring back our boys and we don’t want anyone else to go through what we are going through.”

Tariq Jahan, 46, father of Haroon Jahan, said he had been “humbled” by the support he had received from his community and further afield.

“I would like to thank the community, especially the young people, for listening to what I have to say and staying calm. Thank you very much to the young generation.”

Mr Jahan also thanked the police and media for their support and added: “I would like to take this opportunity to appeal for witnesses to come forward and the police need as much help as possible.”

West Midlands Police said they have arrested 509 people in connection with the disturbances, including 42 in the last 24 hours.

A spokesman for the force said officers on a raid recovered £30,000 (€34,000) in cash and arrested a 20-year-old woman believed to have been involved in looting at Birmingham’s Armani store.

He added that one woman from Handsworth, Birmingham, had escorted her 15-year-old daughter to a police station having recognised her image in a CCTV media appeal.

Detective Chief Inspector Steven Reed, who is leading the post-disorder inquiry, said: “We’re making arrests around the clock. My officers won’t rest until we’re confident everyone who played a part in the disorder is caught and punished.

“It’s also encouraging offenders themselves are coming forward to admit their actions were unacceptable, and responsible parents who suspect their children may have been involved are also taking positive action.

“We will catch-up with offenders so I’d urge them to hand themselves in now while they have the chance – the courts will look more favourably on defendants who co-operate with the police rather than trying to avoid justice.”

The spokesman added that a 46-year-old man from Stirchley, Birmingham, is being questioned on suspicion of looting Carphone Warehouse in Birmingham city centre on Tuesday. He handed himself into police after seeing a CCTV image of himself in the press.