One of the nine Britons detained in Turkey for allegedly trying to cross into Syria is the son of a Labour councillor.
In a statement, Rochdale councillor Shakil Ahmed said he was "shocked, worried and extremely upset" to find out his 21-year-old son Waheed was one of those held by Turkish authorities.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police and North West Counter Terrorism are working with Rochdale Council, local partners and faith leaders to establish why the family were found at the border.
The five adults, aged 21, 22, 22, 24 and 47, as well as four children aged one, three, eight and 11, are believed to be related and currently live in Rochdale.
The Britons are expected to be deported from Turkey on Thursday.
Mr Ahmed, who represents the Kingsway ward on the council, said he thought his son was in Birmingham on a work placement.
He added: "My son is a good Muslim and his loyalties belong to Britain, so I don't understand what he's doing there.
"If I thought for a second that he was in danger of being radicalised I would have reported him to the authorities.
"He's studying a degree in politics and sociology at Manchester University and has a good future ahead of him."
The nine were held by Turkish officials at a military outpost at Ogulpinar, in the south of the country.
Footage released earlier showed them arriving at a police station in Southern Hatay province.
Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett said: "What is obviously concerning is why a family were seemingly attempting to take very young and vulnerable children into a warzone; such a volatile and dangerous environment is no place for them whatsoever.
"We have commenced an investigation to try and establish their reasons for travel and as this is a live investigation - which is very much in its infancy - we are not in a position to comment further."
Police say they have found "no evidence whatsoever" of any imminent threat to the community in Rochdale or anywhere else in the UK.
Simon Danczuk, who is defending the Rochdale seat for Labour at the election, said: "I am in the process of trying to find out more information on this case from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, though I would like to thank the authorities for stopping this family entering what is effectively a war zone.
"I am particularly disturbed that children were involved.
"I have also been in touch with the father of one of the young men who was there and he is shocked and confused as to why his son would be trying to enter Syria."
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