LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- Nine of the 11 Pakistani nationals being held in an alleged terror plot in northern England were released Tuesday , according to police . Police officers guard a house in Manchester , England , following raids and arrests of terror suspects . The arrests were made the week before Easter and came quickly after Britain 's chief terrorism officer , who has since resigned , exposed a list of people who were suspected of planning an al Qaeda-linked attack . Britain 's Greater Manchester Police said the men were released into the custody of the U.K. 's border agency , which will determine whether they can legally remain in England . Police and the border agency said they want the men deported , even though investigators apparently were unable to find enough evidence to charge them with crimes . `` We are seeking to remove these individuals on grounds of national security . The government 's highest priority is to protect public safety , '' said a statement from the agency . `` Where a foreign national poses a threat to this country , we will seek to exclude or to deport , where this is appropriate . '' Twelve people originally were arrested April 8 , and one had been released before Tuesday . Two people remained in custody , authorities said . Police said that at the time of the arrests , their investigation compelled them to take action , even without the blunder made by Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick . The document he was carrying when photographed outside 10 Downing Street contained the names of those to be arrested , and a source said photographers were able to easily read the names when they enlarged the photographs . Once the word was out , police rushed to make the arrests . Authorities said those actions would have been taken in the following 24 hours anyway . The men -- ranging in age from 18 to 22 -- were arrested in Manchester , about 200 miles northwest of London . They had been held for 13 days without being charged . Police will need to seek an extension by Wednesday to be able to continue holding the two remaining suspects without charges . Police say they are continuing to review evidence collected in the case and are searching at least one more house . CNN 's Paula Newton in London contributed to this report .
Border officials want men deported despite lack of evidence to charge them . Agency : We want to remove men `` on grounds of national security '' Men had been held in association with alleged terror plot in northern England . Widespread arrests made after police official photographed with name of suspects .