ANTI-TERROR police spent three days searching a house in a quiet residential street as shocked neighbours looked on.

The flurry of activity by the Metropolitan Police’s anti-terror command, with Sussex Police units in support, started on Friday evening and police presence was maintained at the property until Sunday lunchtime.

A 28-year-old man, understood to be a relative of one of the Hangleton home’s occupants, was arrested on terror charges on Friday.

In the course of the same operation, two men were arrested at addresses in Essex.

Neighbours of the Hangleton property in May Tree Walk, told The Argus they were shocked to see police swarming in the street outside their window when they opened their living room curtains on Saturday morning.

Resident Mike Shippam, 75, said: “I was very surprised.

“As well as the squad cars there was a big black van and people were going in and out of the house with their blue gloves on.”

He described the family who live at the property as “quiet and polite” people who always said hello on the street.

The Argus understands that the man arrested was a relative from the West Midlands who was staying with the couple temporarily.

Mr Shippam’s wife Jenny, also 75, said: “We were ever so surprised when we opened the curtains and saw loads of police.

“There was no shouting or anything and we didn’t see anyone arrested – it was all very civilised.”

Phillipa Russell, who was house-sitting at a property nearby, said that on Friday she had returned to the house and police had arrived.

She said: “I was shocked.

“There were two or three cars and a lot of officers.

“They weren’t armed but I did wonder what had happened.”

On Saturday the Metropolitan Police released a statement saying a Sussex man was one of three arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

The force said detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command, assisted by officers from Sussex Police, arrested two men in Essex and a third in East Sussex at around 6pm on Friday.

The statement continued: “The men, two aged 28 and one aged 31, are being held in custody at a south London police station.

“Police have also executed search warrants at one address in East Sussex and three addresses in east London.”

The force has since confirmed that the man arrested in Hangleton was one of the 28-year-olds and that he remains in police custody.

Further details are expected in the coming days.