New clues found in British bomb plot

LONDON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- British police investigating the alleged plot to bomb aircraft bound for the United States have found "items of interest" in a forest, the BBC said Thursday.

Police did not elaborate on what was found in a wooded area near the homes of several suspects in the High Wycombe area, but the BBC said indications were they were searching for detonators about the size of a cigarette.

Since the arrests of 24 people a week ago, police have conducted 46 searches of homes and properties, Sky News said.

Wednesday, under anti-terror laws, a judge granted police an extra seven days to continue interrogating 21 suspects, and five more days to question another two. One of the people arrested was released Tuesday without being charged.

The men and women arrested are all British Muslims, but several have family in Pakistan, where at least 17 people have been arrested as part of the sweep.