UK men in Syria: 'Parents need to be curious'

Two British men who went to Syria to join rebel fighters have admitted preparing to carry out terrorist acts.

Nahin Ahmed and Yusuf Sarwar, both 22 and from Birmingham, spent eight months in Syria and were arrested by West Midlands Police's counter-terrorism unit at Heathrow Airport on their return in January.

Police said they were alerted to the case after Sarwar's parents contacted them in May 2013 to say he was missing.

Speaking to the BBC, Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale urged those who wanted to help those in Syria to donate to "mainstream charities".

He also called on parents to be "curious and interested" in their children's behaviour and notify police of any concerns.