COMPUTERS and a car have been seized during a terror raid at a terraced house in Nelson.

The search of a house in Tavistock Street was concluded this morning, but police said the investigation was continuing.

No arrests have been made, but the search was carried out after officers obtained a warrant on suspicion of threats of action against the Government or the public for ideological, religious or political motives.

The raid was sparked by an investigation into allegations a son threatened his dad with a knife, it can be revealed.

Officers swooped on the home in Tavistock Street at 7am yesterday under the Terrorism Act.

It is understood the terrorism inquiry was sparked by an investigation into allegations of affray against Michael Davies, 22.

He has appeared before Burnley magistrates accused of threatening his father, believed to be in his 50s, with a knife in the street.

Officers obtained the terrorism search warrant after suspicions were raised during the affray probe.

Detectives were seen removing two computers and a bin-bag of belongings from the house during the search, and they also took away a silver Fiat Punto from the street.

Uniformed officers were stationed outside the front and back of the terraced property for most of the day, while various plain clothes detectives were on the scene at different times during the day.

The father and son who live in the house are described by neighbours as being “quiet”, and of having “strange habits”.

One neighbour said the dad would regularly leave the house at around 1am only to return a few hours later and leave his car parked sticking out into the middle of the street, and another said they could regularly hear noise during the night, with people “shouting and screaming”.

Neighbours on the long, hilly street spoke of their shock after the early morning search.

Brian Nutter-Knight, who has lived in the street for 15 years, said: “It is a bit of a shock really, I am surprised at the thought of terrorism on the street.”

Another neighbour who has lived in the area for 26 years, but did not want to be named said the area did have some problems, but nothing as serious as terrorism.

“We have a few problems with drugs and alcohol here but this is a different league,” he said.

“It is a nice area but there are so many rented properties that they get used for six months and then are left trashed, it can be hard for house owners to sell and move on.”

David Hampson, who moved to the street three years ago with his young family, said: “It is a really friendly street with a great community spirit.

“The kids are always playing out and you don’t constantly worry about them, there is always somebody watching out for them.

“I am surprised something like this would happen here but it is always the quiet areas that these incidents can happen.”

Pendle Council Labour group leader Mohammed Iqbal, who lives in Nelson, said: “I was shocked yesterday morning when I heard about the raids, but as the day developed it became clear the police were being vigilant and doing their job.

“They have spoken to the public and kept them informed.

“Despite this, I don't think extremism is an issue in Pendle but you can't be complacent.”

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “At 7am on Thursday, October 1, a search began at a property on Tavistock Street in Nelson under Schedule 5 Part 1 Paragraph 1 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“No arrests are planned to be made at the address or elsewhere at this moment in time.

“Specialist officers from Lancashire Constabulary and the North West Counter Terrorism Unit will be searching the address and this will be done with sensitivity and carried out as quickly as possible to ensure minimum impact for local residents.

“Local officers with knowledge of the communities will be on duty in and around the area where the search is taking place and nearby residents will be receiving information in the form of a leaflet throughout the day.”

The section of the terrorism act that the search was undertaken says that terrorism means the use or threat of action that is designed to influence the Government or intimidate the public, or a section of the public, or for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause.

It is believed that Mr Davies does not belong to any extremist organisations or groups.

Coun Sonia Robinson, who represents the area of Nelson concerned, said it was important residents kept a “cool head”.

“There have been no arrests so far so it is important we keep perspective and don’t make residents anxious,” she said.

“People need to stay calm and keep a cool head, we don’t want any tensions built up.

“Communities in Pendle have always got on really well and we don’t want to lose that, we want to keep the good relations we have always had.”

Coun Sheila Wicks, who also represents Southfield ward, said: “It is worrying that something like this could happen here but hopefully it will turn out to be something of nothing.

"There are always certain elements of the community that can spoil things though, it is usually a decent area.

“If anything comes of the search then it is a disgrace really, I just hope it turns out to be nothing.

“Residents should wait until the police have finished their investigation before reaching any conclusions and should try not to get concerned at the moment.”