A magistrate's home is the latest property to be raided by anti-terrorism police who had earlier arrested the son of a senior diplomat.
Officers specialising in biological and chemical threats are searching the end terrace house where Meena Patel, 54, lives with her two grown-up daughters in Stratford, east London, following the arrest of a 36-year-old woman who remains in custody.
Over the weekend officers also arrested James Sutcliffe, the 19-year-old son of Nicholas Sutcliffe, who works as First Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He was later released on bail.
Both arrests were made on suspicion of offences under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act.
Mrs Patel sits on the bench at Thames Magistrates Court and was described by neighbours as a pillar of the community.
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Today at least eight police officers wearing masks and protective suits could be seen in and around their home and garden.
The back garden and garage off an alleyway were being searched and officers had erected a tent in the alleyway. Three police vans remained parked in the street.
One neighbour said: "They are a lovely family, the girl who was arrested was definitely well educated. They are just a really quiet family.
"My mum said the family might own a pharmacy nearby. I'm not sure where exactly. I was really shocked when I read the news.
"I believe there is a mum and two daughters who live there. One works in the City and I think she earns quite good money. I think they worship at a temple nearby."
Another resident called Ben added: "I've been watching the vans since the arrests but the police wouldn't say what happened. All the masks and suits were a bit worrying.
"I don't know them - I just go to work and come home. I believe there is a mum and two daughters who live there."
Meanwhile police said they had concluded searches of diplomat Mr Sutcliffe's home and an adjacent property in Streatham Hill, south London.
Mr Sutcliffe, who has worked in Brazil and Cuba with the FCO, lives at the £650,000 four bedroom house in south London with his wife and four sons.
A relative of James Sutcliffe, who was bailed until April within hours of being arrested, said he had been told by police he had "nothing to worry about".
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said residents were at no “immediate risk” and the operation had been pre-planned and led by intelligence.
They said: "The searches are being carried out as a precautionary measure and are ongoing."
Mr Sutcliffe has been a first secretary since 2001.
His brother, Peter Sutcliffe, 49, said: “I find it extraordinary police have made an arrest and I cannot believe James has involvement in terrorism.”
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