Hours after the bloody terror attacks in London, which left 53 dead and over 700 injured, the biggest terror probe in Britain's history moved to West Yorkshire.

At least seven houses were raided and two controlled explosions were carried out.

It has since emerged that three of the suicide bombers were from the Leeds area. The men were named as Hasib Hussain (19), Shehzad Tanweer (22), and Mohamed Sadiq Khan (30). All are British-born and of Pakistani decent.

South African connection

Khan's mother-in-law is South African born, Farida Patel. Police also swooped on her Thornhill home this week. Yesterday, the cordons were lifted but a large white canvass covering the front of the house in the cul-de-sac remains. She has moved in with her son and is not receiving any visitors.

West Yorskhire has a large Asian population. Over many years, people have been living side-by-side with little friction. Nearby Bradford, however, has experienced racial tensions in recent years.

Political, community and religious leaders are now moving swiftly to calm tempers. They are fears that the latest developments could spill over into racial hatred. Police are also addressing communities and visibility has been stepped-up.

Tension and anger is evident on the streets. "It was not the IRA this time, it was Pakistanis. Deport the whole lot," said 72-year-old Dewsbury resident, Peter Hall, moments after he bowed his head to remember those killed in the attacks on London.

"This is going to divide our country"

A young Muslim lady, wearing a Burkha, emerged from a nearby bank to join millions of people across Europe in two minutes of silence.

"I am devastated. This is going to divide our country. I can't understand why these young lads carried out these acts."

She wipes tears from her face as she remembers the many victims of 7/7.

"They also killed Muslims. They are mass murderers."

Harry Soma is a corner-cafe owner in Beeston, a suburb of Leeds, not far from the family home of one of the suicide bombers. "People are upset. They come in here and label all Asians as extremists. Some shout abuse at Muslims. It is turning ugly fast, " he explains.

Bearded Moulana Ismail Patel walks-in. "I am scared brother. The whites are now seeing us differently. They think we're killers. We cannot condone the actions of the bombers... It was cold-blooded murder. One man just walked past me and remarked 'he could also be on a suicide mission'. "

This is what police and community leaders fear — the stigmatisation of communities.

At a nearby pub some fifty men gather, shouting abuse at the suicide bombers, their families and Muslims. Police move swiftly to break-up the gathering and arrest two men.

Isolated incidents of racial tensions are being reported across the United Kingdom, and some mosques have been vandalised.

Muslim Council expresses anguish

Sir Iqbal Sacranie of the Muslim Council of Britain visited Leeds last week and said he received news of the suicide bombers with "anguish, shock and horror".

"It appears our youth have been involved in last week's horrific bombings against innocent people. "

"While the police investigation continues, we reiterate our absolute commitment and resolve to helping the police bring to justice all involved in this crime of mass murder. Nothing in Islam can ever justify the evil actions of the bombers."

Police say the investigations are "complex and intensive" and "moving at great speed."

A nervous community

I have visited West Yorskshire almost every year for the past 20 years. My wife's family reside there. Never before have I experienced nervousness amongst the locals as I now do.

"We are praying that time will heel the current tensions. We are living through tough times," says Dewsbury caterer, Yusuf Chothia.

A college student who stays a few doors away from suicide bomber, Hasib Hussain, explains: "He was an ordinary lad. He always smiled as he walked past our house. He was soft-spoken and calm."

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