AS police swooped on a Toothill street to arrest a teenager on suspicion of terrorism-related offences, one witness said she'd never seen anything like it in more than four decades of living in the area.

Officers in plain clothes and four police dogs targeted an address on Stamford Close and took a 16-year-old into custody early yesterday morning as part of an ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing North East into right-wing terrorism.

Today, the street is peaceful and quiet, free of the large police presence that filled it yesterday, with sunshine beaming down on dogwalkers, shouts from children playing in gardens echoing around the cul-de-sac, and England flags fluttering in the light breeze.

One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "There were loads of vans, cars and police.

"It's the first time I'd seen anything like that, I couldn't believe it.

"They searched the van and the car, right underneath the car, everywhere.

"I thought, because of the dogs, there must have been a murder or something but it wasn't, then I thought it might be drugs, but it wasn't that either, it was that young man they took away.

"Only 16. I didn't know him but it's sad."

One passerby told us: "There's always sirens in Toothill unfortunately, you just keep yourself to yourself. As far as Swindon goes, it's not the worst area though.

"It's crazy and scary, something happens around here every few months."

The teenager was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Elsewhere, a 29 year old man, a 30-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were arrested from addresses in Keighley on suspicion of the same crimes as the Swindon teenager, as was a 28-year-old man arrested in Anglesey.

Properties are being searched in connection with the arrests.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of this activity.

"We would like to reassure them that these arrests are pre-planned and intelligence led and there is not believed to be any immediate risk to the local community.

"We are grateful for the understanding, patience and support of local residents while these enquiries continue."