POLICE investigating the July 7 London bombings are still searching a Leeds flat, three years after the atrocity.

Anti-terrorist officers have now been at the property for more than 24 hours and have been showing neighbours photos of the four bombers.

The Metropolitan Police said detectives raided the one-bedroom flat in Shepherd’s Lane, Harehills, Leeds.

Local people said officers arrived at about 7am yesterday and showed householders in the street photos of the bombers, Mohammed Siddique Khan, of Thornhill Lees, Shehzad Tanweer, Hasib Hussain and Jermaine Lindsay, who lived in Rawthorpe.

The four died when they exploded four bombs on three Tube trains and a bus in July, 2005, killing 52 people.

Investigators do not believe any of the bombers, whose backgrounds have been thoroughly researched, ever lived at the flat.

But they are looking for evidence to suggest the property was used as a base or even to prepare the bombs.

One neighbour said he recognised the bombers’ ringleader, Khan, in one of the photos he was shown by police who knocked at his door this morning.

The resident, who gave his name only as Mohammed, said the officers went into the house opposite his carrying bags and cameras.

“I could tell from what they were carrying in that this was more than just a TV licensing raid,” he added.

Next door to the house is an Islamic bookshop, which was closed today.

Detectives from the Met’s anti-terror unit raided the flat, which is in a predominantly Asian suburb around two miles from Leeds city centre.

Sources said the raid followed a tip-off from a member of the public.

Detective Assistant Commissioner John McDowall made a further appeal for information today, saying the force continued to search for anyone who knew of the bombers’ plans.

He said: “While it is more than three years since the attacks this remains a painstaking investigation.

“As we have previously said we are determined to identify anyone else who knew what was being planned.

“As a result of our inquiries we are carrying out an extensive search of the flat to determine whether there are any links to the people responsible for the 7/7 attacks.

“I would urge anyone who has suspicions about activity in the flat, either in the months leading up to the 7/7 attacks or afterwards, to contact police.”

No-one has been convicted over the London bombings, but three men from Beeston in Leeds accused of helping to plan the bombings face re-trial early next year.

The trial of Waheed Ali, Sadeer Saleem and Mohammed Shakil was abandoned in August after the jury failed to reach a verdict.