A terror suspect was bitten on the foot by a police dog during a raid in in east London.
Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command arrested three people in the capital and one person in Leicestershire during a proactive operation on Thursday.
Four men, aged 17, 27, 31 and 32, were detained on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
The arrests in east London, which Redbridge Police confirmed took place in Goodmayes, were carried out with the support of armed officers.
Although "no shots were fired" one of the suspects was bitten by a police dog during the course of his arrest, police said. He was taken to hospital although his injuries are not believed to be serious.
Witnesses at the scenes said they heard a loud bang and a woman scream.
Office worker Saif Choudry told the Ilford Recorder: “We heard a few gunshots outside our office. We all went outside.
"We heard nearly 15 gunshots. It was shocking and devastating.
“It should never come to this in our borough. We’ve never witnessed something like this before.”
A neighbour to raids at another location in Ilfracombe Gardens, Goodmayes, said the people in the targeted house "don’t speak very good English”.
Speaking on the condition on anonymity he said: “Quite a lot of people come in and out (of the house).
"They are a bit of a loud family, really. We don’t speak to them that much compared to our other neighbours.
“There are a lot of people coming and going, to know who actually lives in the house is a bit of a mystery."
The door of the semi-detached house in Ilfracombe Gardens was smashed as well as the window panes beside it, with shattered glass across the doorstep.
Uniformed officers were stood outside the house while forensic officers in blue boiler suits could be seen going in and out of the property.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It’s hard to know exactly who lives there, there’s a family coming and going, there are sons and daughters and little kids.
“They are obviously a Muslim family, but they’re quite calm, I’ve never noticed any problems.”
Following the raid a search is also underway at a fourth address in the area.
In Leicestershire, East Midlands Counter Terrorism Policing and Leicestershire Police were involved with the operation and armed officers were not present.
All four men were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under section 41 of the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2000 and remain in police custody at this time.
