text: Sue Southern, head of West Midlands Counter Terrorism Police Unit, which has detained three people in relation to terrorism offences today . Police have arrested two 17-year-old boys on suspicion of preparing to travel to Syria to join terrorists, while also detaining a 'terror fundraiser'. The teenagers were detained at their homes in Coventry, West Midlands, during a 6am raid by the region's Counter Terrorism Unit today. A 39-year-old man in Coventry has also been held on suspicion of fundraising for the purpose of terrorism, Scotland Yard said. All three are currently in custody in a West Midlands police station and have been detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. The legislation gives officers a maximum of 36 hours before they can charge, release, bail or apply for further detention. West Midlands Police has said the arrests of the teenagers were pre-planned and there was no immediate risk to the public. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the arrests were part of two separate investigations while officers say enquiries into both are continuing. The West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit has appealed for help in identifying would-be terrorists after it was revealed there had been a rise in the number Syria-related investigations in  the region. One of Britain's most senior counter terrorism officers, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, explained the challenge for police is identifying potential jihadi fighters. This is because many of the young people from the West Midlands suspected to have travelled to the conflict zone had no previous links to extremist groups. Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Southern, who heads up the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, said: 'We are seeing young people who previously had no reason to be known to the authorities, being radicalised. 'It makes working with communities all the more important if we are to stop young people from becoming involved in terrorist activities.' The West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit has appealed for help in identifying would-be terrorists after it was revealed there had been a rise in the number Syria-related investigations in the region . Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, one of the country's most senior counter terrorism officers, has warned there has been a high rise in the number of Syria-related investigations in the West Midlands . The force has seen a number of high profile Syria-related investigations, which have resulted in people appearing in court. Two men, aged 22, from Handsworth were recently sentenced for terrorism offences while  a man and a woman stood trial in September and October. Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Southern, added: 'We have a number of other on-going investigations involving individuals suspected of fighting with proscribed groups. 'Anyone who does travel to the region faces being questioned by police when they return. Every case is assessed individually but if there are grounds to suspect a person has been involved in terrorism they will be arrested.' She urged families to allow police to intervene at as early a stage as possible to 'help safeguard young people'. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
target: Teenagers are currently in police custody at a West Midlands police station .
  Police said their arrests were pre-planned and there was no risk to public .
  A 39-year-old man is being held on suspicion of fundraising for terrorists .
  West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit appealed for help identifying jihadis .