Loud bangs heard as four men were arrested in dawn raids on suspicion of plotting a new terror attack in the UK were not explosions, the police have said.
Instead, they were part of the method police officers used to gain access to three homes in Sheffield and one in Chesterfield, Counter Terrorism Policing North East said.
A spokesperson told The Independent there was no explosion, but the public "may have heard loud bangings as officers were affecting entry."
The Army's Bomb Disposal Unit was called to the house in Chesterfield and the immediate area has been cordoned off as local residents were evacuated.
The unnamed men, aged 22, 31, 36 and 41 have been taken to a police station for questioning.
They were all arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
"The arrests were intelligence led and pre planned as part of an ongoing investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East," a spokesperson said.
"Three properties in Sheffield and one in Chesterfield are currently being searched in connection with these arrests."
Police asked local people to "remain alert but not alarmed" as operations continued.
It came after the director of MI5 confirmed that nine terror plots have been foiled since the Westminster attack in March.
The atrocity and subsequent attacks left 36 victims dead and hundreds injured, with the UK national threat level remaining at severe.
Officials have warned the risk from both Isis, other Islamists and far-right extremists is growing amid a record number of referrals to the Prevent programme.
The Government is currently drawing up a new counter-terror strategy due for release early next year.
