POLICE have confirmed that a 19-year-old man in High Wycombe was one of four people arrested over the course of last night as part of a counter-terrorism operation.

Firearms officers assisted with the man’s arrest, which took place at an address in the town at around 8.45pm on Thursday.

The Metropolitan Police said this evening that three addresses in High Wycombe are being searched in connection with the operation.

A house in Desborough Avenue has been cordoned off by officers since last night.

A 22-year-old-man was also arrested, at an address in Hounslow, at 8.45pm last night, while a 27-year-old man was arrested in a car in Southall slightly earlier at 8.31pm.

Firearms officers assisted with both arrests, although no shots were fired during the course of the operation.

Another man, 25, was arrested at an address in Uxbridge at 2.55am this morning.

The men were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the Commission, Preparation or Instigation of acts of Terrorism.

Officers are also searching addresses in Hounslow, Uxbridge, Southall, Greenford and Hayes.

Police say the arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist related terrorism.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command are working closely with their colleagues in SE Counter Terrorism Unit and MI5.

Police say the four men remain in custody pending further enquiries this evening.

National media has descended on High Wycombe today in the wake of the police operation and has speculated that the timing of the arrests may be significant in light of the weekend’s upcoming Remembrance Day events.