EXTRA police officers have been drafted in to examine items seized during anti-terror raids.

Five houses in Cobridge, Burslem and Tunstall were raided under the Terrorism Act. The homes were occupied by people suspected of promoting extremist views.

Several computers and suspected extremist literature were taken away in the operation on July 1, which originally involved 50 officers. No arrests have been made.

Specialist officers are now examining the seized items.

Staffordshire Police's Chief Constable Chris Sims said: “The investigation is now centred on examining the large number of items that were seized to help establish the facts.

“The number of police officers and staff involved in the investigation has been increased to take account of the volume of property that needs to be examined and assessed.

“Even with the additional staff, this is likely to be a medium to long term inquiry.”

Police have declined to comment on the number of officers involved in the investigation, or to release further details about the property which was seized. Superintendent Bernie O'Reilly, from Stoke-on-Trent division, said: “Detectives recovered a large amount of items from the homes searched, including computers, mobile phones and documents.

“These now have to be examined and assessed in a methodical manner.

“The number of police officers and staff involved in the investigation has increased to allow this work to be carried out as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

“This process is expected to take some time.

“This is an ongoing, complex inquiry and we'd like to thank the communities affected by it for their patience and co-operation.

“We need the active support of communities to tackle terrorism and extremism.

“Anyone with information about people who may be involved in such activity should please call us on 08453 302010, or the national confidential anti-terrorism hotline on 0800 789321.”

Two of the men at the centre of the anti-terrorism operation say they have heard nothing since the raids took place.

Abu Bosher, pictured, aged 24, of North Road, Cobridge, said he felt like he had been terrorised by the police.

He said: “Their treatment of us has been disgusting.

“We've not had a list of what was taken, and we've not heard a thing.

“We feel used and abused. The police terrorised us – my wife was really scared when they raided our house.

“They took everything when they came into the house – utility bills, bank details, the lot. And the community support officers who walk around the area won't tell us a thing.”

Abu Saif, aged 17, whose sister's Cobridge home was raided, said: “I haven't heard anything either. They smashed the door in during the raid – it's a family home.

“The community police officers won't speak to us at all.”