Police have been granted extra time to question a man and a woman arrested on suspicion of Syria-related terrorism offences, West Midlands police said.

Detectives from the West Midlands counter terrorism unit arrested the pair on Saturday December 7 in Dover, Kent, as part of an “intelligence-led” operation.

The 32-year-old man and the 31-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of preparing to commit terrorism offences, police said.

The man was also arrested on suspicion of funding or supporting terrorism.

Both were taken to a police station in the West Midlands where they are being held under terrorism legislation for questioning.

West Midlands Police said on Sunday evening that detectives had been granted a seven-day extension to hold the pair until December 14.

The arrests were not linked in “any way” to the London Bridge terror attack on November 29, police said, adding that inquiries were already under way prior to the incident.