Police arrest two men in West Yorkshire on suspicion of terror plot

Two Dewsbury homes being searched in connection with investigation

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences in Dewsbury (Twitter/@hanrmiller)

Two men have been arrested in West Yorkshire on suspicion of a terror plot.

The men, aged 52 and 21, were detained on suspicion of "being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism" by counter terror police.

Loud bangs would have been heard as officers gained entry to two addresses in the Savile Town area of Dewsbury, authorities said. Locals were reassured it was "part of the method of entry".

The suspects are at a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning, and two homes were being searched in connection with the investigation.

A spokeswoman for the Counter Terrorism Policing Unit 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."

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

Marianne Huison, West Yorkshire Police Superintendent for the Kirklees Area, 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."