ANTI-TERRORISM police have raided addresses in Swansea and Pontardawe and arrested four men alleged to be in possession of funds for terrorist purposes.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's counter terrorism command targeted a commercial address in Pontardawe, where two men, aged 34 and 45, were arrested.

They also went to a residential address in Swansea, where a 38-year-old man was detained.

A fourth man, aged 37, was arrested at a residential address in Powys.

The raids took place between February 2 and 3.

A Met Police spokesman said: "The men were arrested under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. The alleged offence is under section 16 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

"All four were taken to a central London police station, and were later bailed to return to a date in late May."

Officers from the Welsh Extremism Counter Terrorism Unit supported the operation.

Police have declined to reveal the exact addresses of the properties concerned.

But the manager of Emma's takeaway in Herbert Street, Pontardawe, said police had made arrests there, from a property above the shop.

Suleyman Atila, said Kurdish men who worked at the shop had been arrested — and had been bailed since. "We were surprised," said Mr Atila.

John O Jones, chair of the town's chamber of trade, said: "There have been a lot of rumours going around the town as to what the raids were all about.

"From what I understand they took place quite early in the morning, so I don't think many people were about.

"Emma's is a well respected business in the area, which is good for the whole town."

nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk