A MAN aged 48 and a woman aged 29 from Keighley have been released on bail after being detained last Sunday on suspicion of explosives offences.

A spokesman for the police confirmed this morning (Sept 6) that investigations into the incident were still ongoing.

Officers from the North East Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) discovered potentially explosive material during searches at a house in Parkwood Street at about 9.30pm last Sunday and the Army’s Bomb Disposal Unit from Catterick attended.

As a precautionary measure and in the interests of public safety, the immediate area was cordoned off and local residents were evacuated while a thorough search was carried out and the potentially dangerous material was safely removed.

A CTU spokesman said the incident was not now being treated as a terrorist-related matter.

Dawn Caswell, one of the people who had to leave their home on Parkwood Street, said she was first alerted by police at 11pm on Sunday night.

"Some of us went to Keighley Leisure Centre, but there weren't that many people there because most went to stay with their families," she added.

"I waited at the leisure centre for about 10 minutes and then I went to my mum's.

"I didn't get back home till 4am. The police were still here - they would have been here all night.

"There were fire engines, police vans and police dogs.

"Everyone was just thinking 'what's going on?' I've lived in Parkwood Street for two years and normally it's quiet, I've never had any trouble."

Alex Goddard, who owns the nearby MAG Autos Garage, said he first found out something was happening near his business via Facebook.

"I thought 'I hope my own building doesn't go up!'", he said.

"Some people were speculating that some dangerous chemicals had been found, but by the time I got here at 6am it had all been sorted out.

"I've been looking at what was happening on my CCTV."

Alan Barker, 42, who was evacuated from his own home with his partner and younger brother, said: "I was just gobsmacked when the police came round. It's the last kind of thing you'd expect.

"We were able to go round to a friend's house, so we didn't need to stay at the leisure centre.

"We're a few houses down from the house the police were going into, so weren't too worried about our own place.

"I was more worried about the people living next door to that house."

Reacting yesterday morning to news of the arrests, Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said: "I want to commend those officers from the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) involved in the intelligence-led arrest of two people in Keighley and the recovery of potentially hazardous material.

“I was informed of the operation and note that the matter is currently being treated as an isolated incident.

“Given the possibility of legal proceedings to follow, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the specifics of the case.

“However, I would like to appeal for calm and underline the CTU’s belief that there was no immediate threat to the wellbeing of local residents.

“I will continue to liaise closely with the relevant authorities whilst their investigations are ongoing.”

Police officers remained at the scene yesterday, with one police car parked outside a mid-terrace house not far from Parkwood Primary School.

The CTU spokesman said: "We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of this activity and would like to reassure them that the arrests are intelligence led and not in response to any immediate threat. At this time, this is being treated as an isolated incident."