Two 14-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a 'Columbine-style' massacre at their school in a Yorkshire market town.

The teenagers were detained in coordinated raids on their homes in the market town of Northallerton, in North Yorkshire, on Saturday and taken into custody.

The boys are understood to be pupils at Northallerton School and a spokesman for the local council confirmed staff and pupils were helping police with their inquiries.

Police have been searching the area around this disused garage since the arrests on Saturday

The teenagers are being held on 'suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism' under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, police have confirmed.

The Daily Telegraph reported the pair were planning a 'Columbine-style' attack on the school. In 1999 two pupils killed 12 students and a teacher in a gun attack at Columbine High School in Colorado.

One woman wrote on social media the incident involved a student who was being bullied and allegedly wrote 'a list of names he wanted to get back [at] and it spiralled massively out of control due to kids being kids and rumours circulated he'd brought a gun into school'.

Police have since been searching properties in the Romanby area of the town.

One of the teenagers lives with his father and younger brother in a bungalow on a quiet cul-de-sac in the town.

A neighbour said 10 police vehicles were in the street on Saturday. Officers were at the house from early morning until after midnight, carrying out searches of the family home, garage, garden and a car.

She said: 'It was a big operation and was over-the-top with all those vehicles, it certainly wasn't anything like a drugs raid.

'The family have lived in the street for around 10 years and have caused upset with some neighbours for loud noise.

'The teenager used to play the guitar and then got a drum kit. During the last few months we've twice had to complain about the loud music.'

The neighbour said the family had previously been reported to social services over claims the young children returned home from school to an empty house and described the boys as 'out of control' when they were younger.

'They would ride down the road on bikes and scooters screaming,' she said.

The boys' father refused to comment.

The investigation centres on this school in the town, where teachers are helping police

The second arrest took place at a property in a village on the outskirts of Northallerton.

A neighbour said: 'There were four police cars and a van parked here all weekend, they seemed to be searching a house.

'It was a big police operation and it went on for quite a while so we knew it had to be something serious but this is the last place you'd expect anything to do with terrorism.'

Witnesses also reported seeing a large number of police vehicles near a derelict former tyre garage for most of Saturday and Sunday.

The Columbine attack Two teenage boys Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, shot and killed 12 classmates and a teacher at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, in April 1999. Twenty-one others were injured. They then took their own lives in the library of the school after the attack. Advertisement

A local resident said: 'The officers would only say that it's an ongoing investigation, but if it's connected to an investigation into terrorism then I'm shocked, really shocked.

'A few months back there was a problem with kids getting in there to use it as a skatepark, but the owners put some better security in and it's been fine since. I've never seen anything suspicious at all.'

A North Yorkshire Council spokesman said: 'Northallerton School and Sixth Form College is supporting the police in their investigation.'

The spokesman added: 'Police continue to investigate with an open mind to establish what, if any, offences have been committed.

'The school understands that parents and carers may have concerns as a result of these arrests.

'We would like to reassure them that the safety of the school is paramount and we are working with the police to support our students and prioritise their safety at all times.'

Last month fears about a weapon being brought into the school caused widespread concern among parents.

Head teacher Chris Byrne wrote to parents on September 28 to reassure that reports of a weapon were 'unfounded and untrue'.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said they were supporting the North-East Counter Terrorism Unit with investigations and searches.

The spokesman said: 'Officers believe that this is an isolated incident and the wider community are not at risk.

'We appreciate the cooperation of local residents whilst the investigation continues.'

Residents in the Yorkshire town said they were astonished by the sudden police activity

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman added: 'We understand that people may have concerns as a result of this activity and we are grateful for the patience and understanding of the public while these enquiries are carried out.'

A spokesperson for North East Counter Terrorism Unit has this morning confirmed the two teenagers remain in custody.