Police have arrested two men on suspicion of planning acts of terror.

Loud bangs were heard as Counter Terror officers forced their way into two addresses in Savile Town, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East said men aged 52 and 21 were arrested "on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

They have been detained at a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning, and two homes were being searched in connection with the ongoing investigation.

A spokeswoman for the unit said: "The public may have heard loud bangs at the time police entered the properties.

"We would like to reassure them that this was part of the method of entry to gain access."

The arrests were planned and "part of a proactive, intelligence-led investigation", the unit said.

They were not linked to an ongoing malicious communications investigation into the so-called "Punish a Muslim" letters.

West Yorkshire Police Superintendent Marianne Huison said: "I understand our local communities will have concerns about this morning's police activity, but I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of West Yorkshire.

"We work very closely with our colleagues in CT Policing North East and with local partners and we will ensure we maintain these strong links in order to provide a high level of service and delivery to everyone in our community.

Police activity was centred on two houses, 300 yards apart, on Headfield Road, in the Savile Town area of Dewsbury, home to a large Asian population.

A large police presence, including armed officers, remained outside the first house, a semi-detached bungalow-type property.

Neighbours said an elderly lady used to live at the address until her death and the house has since been rented out, with the blinds always kept closed and few people seen coming and going.

Locals said there had been a raid, or police activity, at this property, a couple of months ago.

Further down the street forensics officers wearing purple gloves could be seen going in and out of another property.

A neighbour who lives over the road said: "I was up in my living room about half 12 last night and heard a very loud bang. It was very loud, they heard it in town.

"I thought it was to do with this, 'Punish a Muslim' thing. I called the police myself.

"I looked outside and there was armed police crouched down and more police at the door and a load of smoke in the street."

The neighbour said his father told him around two hours later a young man was taken away by armed police, handcuffed, and the rest of the family were also escorted off the premises by police.</s>Police have arrested two men on suspicion of planning acts of terror.

Loud bangs were heard as Counter Terror officers forced their way into two addresses in Savile Town, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East said men aged 52 and 21 were arrested "on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

They have been detained at a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning, and two homes were being searched in connection with the ongoing investigation.

A spokeswoman for the unit said: "The public may have heard loud bangs at the time police entered the properties.

"We would like to reassure them that this was part of the method of entry to gain access."

The arrests were planned and "part of a proactive, intelligence-led investigation", the unit said.

They were not linked to an ongoing malicious communications investigation into the so-called "Punish a Muslim" letters.

West Yorkshire Police Superintendent Marianne Huison said: "I understand our local communities will have concerns about this morning's police activity, but I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of West Yorkshire.

"We work very closely with our colleagues in CT Policing North East and with local partners and we will ensure we maintain these strong links in order to provide a high level of service and delivery to everyone in our community.

Police activity was centred on two houses, 300 yards apart, on Headfield Road, in the Savile Town area of Dewsbury, home to a large Asian population.

A large police presence, including armed officers, remained outside the first house, a semi-detached bungalow-type property.

Neighbours said an elderly lady used to live at the address until her death and the house has since been rented out, with the blinds always kept closed and few people seen coming and going.

Locals said there had been a raid, or police activity, at this property, a couple of months ago.

Further down the street forensics officers wearing purple gloves could be seen going in and out of another property.

A neighbour who lives over the road said: "I was up in my living room about half 12 last night and heard a very loud bang. It was very loud, they heard it in town.

"I thought it was to do with this, 'Punish a Muslim' thing. I called the police myself.

"I looked outside and there was armed police crouched down and more police at the door and a load of smoke in the street."

The neighbour said his father told him around two hours later a young man was taken away by armed police, handcuffed, and the rest of the family were also escorted off the premises by police.</s>Image caption Two houses in the Savile Town area of Dewsbury were being searched by police on Tuesday

Police have been granted extra time to question two men arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Counter-terrorism police made arrests as part of searches at residential properties in Dewsbury on Tuesday.

Searches at a residential address in the West Yorkshire town are ongoing.

Police have until 10 April to question the men, aged 52 and 21, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

More news from around Yorkshire</s>Police have arrested two men on suspicion of planning acts of terror.

Loud bangs were heard as Counter Terror officers forced their way into two addresses in Savile Town, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East said men aged 52 and 21 were arrested “on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

They have been detained at a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning, and two homes were being searched in connection with the ongoing investigation.

A spokeswoman for the unit said: “The public may have heard loud bangs at the time police entered the properties.

“We would like to reassure them that this was part of the method of entry to gain access.”

The arrests were planned and “part of a proactive, intelligence-led investigation”, the unit said.

They were not linked to an ongoing malicious communications investigation into the so-called “Punish a Muslim” letters.

West Yorkshire Police Superintendent Marianne Huison said: “I understand our local communities will have concerns about this morning’s police activity, but I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of West Yorkshire.

“We work very closely with our colleagues in CT Policing North East and with local partners and we will ensure we maintain these strong links in order to provide a high level of service and delivery to everyone in our community.</s>Police have arrested two men on suspicion of planning acts of terror.

Loud bangs were heard as Counter Terror officers forced their way into two addresses in Savile Town, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East said men aged 52 and 21 were arrested "on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

They have been detained at a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning, and two homes were being searched in connection with the ongoing investigation.

A spokeswoman for the unit said: "The public may have heard loud bangs at the time police entered the properties.

"We would like to reassure them that this was part of the method of entry to gain access."

The arrests were planned and "part of a proactive, intelligence-led investigation", the unit said.

They were not linked to an ongoing malicious communications investigation into the so-called "Punish a Muslim" letters.

West Yorkshire Police Superintendent Marianne Huison said: "I understand our local communities will have concerns about this morning's police activity, but I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of West Yorkshire.

"We work very closely with our colleagues in CT Policing North East and with local partners and we will ensure we maintain these strong links in order to provide a high level of service and delivery to everyone in our community.</s>Counter terror police have arrested two men in an operation in Dewsbury.

An ongoing operation was carried out last night, with reports of many residents in the area hearing a “loud bang”.

It’s thought the operation focused on a street in Savile Town.

Two men from Dewsbury, aged 52 and 21, have been arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing North East on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Both remain in custody at this time for questioning.

Two addresses are being searched in connection with the arrests.

Police want to reassure residents that the arrests were pre-planned and in response to intelligence from the North East Counter Terror Unit.

Did you see the raids? Email webnews@trinitymirror.com

"These arrests are not connected to the ongoing CT investigation into malicious communications," police said.

West Yorkshire Police Superintendent for the Kirklees Area Marianne Huison said: "I understand our local communities will have concerns about this morning’s police activity but I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of West Yorkshire.

"We work very closely with our colleagues in CT Policing North East and with local partners and we will ensure we maintain these strong links in order to provide a high level of service and delivery to everyone in our community. Public safety is our utmost concern.”

On Twitter, Craig Jerrett said he heard loud bangs.

He said: "We heard this loud bang (followed by a series of smaller ones) around midnight last night. Knew something like this would be behind it."

Police said loud bangs would have been heard as officers gained entry to two addresses in the Savile Town area of Dewsbury and reassured people that was "part of the method of entry".

According to Huddersfield Daily Examiner reporter Louise Cooper, who is at the scene, "around 10 police officers have just gone into the house cordoned off in Savile Town to conduct a search".

She added: "Police have now cordoned off Headfield Road as the search of a house is ongoing."

A neighbour of the house sealed off told how it was "terrifying" when he heard a "loud bang" and saw armed officers raiding the house.</s>Police have arrested two men in West Yorkshire on suspicion of terror offences.

The 52-year-old and 21-year-old were arrested in the early hours of this morning.

They have been detained at a police station in the county for questioning.

Police said loud bangs would have been heard as officers gained entry to two addresses in the Savile Town area of Dewsbury and reassured people that was "part of the method of entry".

West Yorkshire Police Superintendent for the Kirklees Area Marianne Huison said: "I understand our local communities will have concerns about this morning's police activity but I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of West Yorkshire.

"We work very closely with our colleagues in CT Policing North East and with local partners and we will ensure we maintain these strong links in order to provide a high level of service and delivery to everyone in our community.

North East Counter Terrorism Unit added that the arrests were pre-planned and part of a proactive intelligence-led investigation.

Download: The STV News app is Scotland's favourite and is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from Google Play. Download it today and continue to enjoy STV News wherever you are.</s>Armed police arrested two men during dramatic counter terrorism raids in Dewsbury.

The drama unfolded at around midnight on Tuesday when armed officers forced their way into a semi-detached house and a bungalow in Headfield Road between Savile Town and Thornhill Lees.

Residents described hearing a “loud bang” at the house as police used what were believed to be ‘flash grenades’ to gain entry.

The bungalow a distance away on the same street was also raided.

Police have since confirmed a two men, aged 52 and 21, were arrested by officers from the North East Counter Terrorism Unit on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

They were detained at a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning.

A large police presence remained at both properties for most of Tuesday.

Around 10 uniformed officers wearing blue gloves could be seen entering the semi-detached property at around midday. Broken glass from the forced entry could be seen and a blanket was draped in the door frame.

The incident has shocked local residents, many of whom have young families.

One mum said: “It was just after midnight. I heard this loud bang. I thought it was fireworks as there was a wedding party nearby. But I went to the landing and could see loads of police.

“They were still there in the morning when I went out and before lunchtime they cordoned off our road.

“The house the police are searching is a rented by a family.

“One of their sons was in the same year as my daughter at Thornhill Academy. She left two years ago now.”

Resident John Savage added: “I just heard a big loud bang. I woke up and went down to see if everyone was alright.

“I thought it was a drugs raid. It’s a bit worrying when it’s right on your doorstep. I hope police sort it.”

Another neighbour in his 20s, who did not want to be named, said: “I heard a loud bang. I looked out and saw police with guns. They’ve been here all night.

“It’s terrifying to have it happening on your doorstep. I can’t believe it.”

In a statement a spokesman for Counter Terrorism Policing North East said: “The public may have heard loud bangs at the time police entered the properties.

“We would like to reassure them that this was part of the method of entry to gain access.

“We appreciate local people may have concerns as a result of this activity and we are grateful for their patience and understanding while these enquiries are carried out.”

West Yorkshire Police Superintendent for the Kirklees Area, Marianne Huison, said: “I understand our local communities will have concerns about this police activity but I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of West Yorkshire.

“We work very closely with our colleagues in CT Policing North East and with local partners and we will ensure we maintain these strong links in order to provide a high level of service and delivery to everyone in our community. Public safety is our utmost concern.”

Anyone with concerns is asked to contact their local neighbourhood policing team on 101.</s>ARRESTED: Counter Terror police have arrested two men on suspicion of planning acts of terror

Loud bangs were heard as officers forced their way into two addresses in Savile Town, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East said the men, aged 52 and 21, were arrested "on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

They have been detained at a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning, and two homes were being searched in connection with the ongoing investigation.

A spokeswoman for the unit said: "The public may have heard loud bangs at the time police entered the properties.

"We would like to reassure them that this was part of the method of entry to gain access."</s>Police have been given more time to question two men arrested in Dewsbury on suspicion of terror offences.

The suspects, aged 52 and 21, were held by Counter Terrorism Policing North East on Tuesday on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terror.

Loud bangs were heard in the Savile Town area as officers gained entry to the property.

An address in the West Yorkshire town was still being searched by officers.

A spokeswoman for the unit said: “This morning an extension was approved by the court, giving detectives until April 10 to question the men, aged 52 years and 21 years.”

West Yorkshire Police said it will continue to reassure local residents following the raids and will protect the public.
Police questioning two men suspected of plotting terror attacks in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire are granted an extension until April 10 to detain the suspects.