Two men have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences after raids in Lancashire.

One suspect, 34, held over an alleged terror plot, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism during a raid on a house in Manor Street in Accrington.

A second suspect, 33, was arrested on suspicion of the dissemination of terrorist publications following raids on two properties in Burns Street and Gordon Street in Burnley.

The early-morning raids were carried out by Lancashire Police and North West Counter Terrorism officers.

Both men are in custody and searches are being carried out at the addresses raided.

Superintendent Stasia Osiowy, of Lancashire Police, said: “I recognise that events like this can cause people to worry and impact on wider public confidence.

“I want to reassure people that our information and intelligence lead us to believe that there is no immediate threat to local people.

“We will continue to engage with our local communities and keep you updated and as informed as we are able to given the sensitive nature of this investigation.

“People may see extra police activity in the area over the next few days and I would ask them to co-operate with us as we carry out the work that we need to do.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding. If anyone does have any concerns they should approach an officer or call 101.”

Police stood guard at the front door of the raided property in Manor Street, Accrington, with detectives entering and leaving the house as inquiries continued.

Police on Manor Street, Accrington
Police on Manor Street, Accrington (Pat Hurst/PA)

Neighbours said police vans and cars arrived suddenly in the street at around 7am and a man was taken from the end-terrace property in handcuffs.

One man, who did not want to give his name, said his frightened elderly grandmother, who is a neighbour, rang him to tell him about the police raid.

He said: “She rang me and said she heard bashing on the front door and ‘Police! Police! Police!’ being shouted.

“The man who lives there was taken out in handcuffs.”

Neighbours said an Asian family of four have lived at the address for around four years – a husband, who is local and works for a local authority, his wife, who is of Bangladeshi heritage and from the south of England, and two children, a boy and a girl, both under five.

Female police officers are understood to have accompanied the children and their mother as they were taken from the house.

The property was bought with a mortgage arranged through elders at a local mosque, according to the neighbour.

The neighbour added: “There are always lots of visitors at strange hours, coming and going late at night.”