Anjem Choudary: Two More Arrested Under Islamist Related Terrorism Investigation

Two more people have been arrested as part of an investigation into Islamist related terrorism following the arrest of radical preacher Anjem Choudary.

The men were arrested by police in a vehicle on the M6 believed to be near Rugby in Warwickshire.

One of the men, aged 33, was arrested on suspicion of being a member of a banned terrorist organisation, supporting a proscribed organisation and encouraging terrorism.

The second suspect, aged 42, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both men remain in custody at a central London police station.

The arrests occurred after police arrested nine people, including Choudary, on suspicion of being part of a banned terrorist organisation and encouraging terrorism

It is believed the men, aged 21 to 55, were arrested on suspicion of being members of the Al-Muhajiroun, a British-based Islamic terrorist group who were banned in 2010 but have returned under different guises down the years.

As part of the investigation a series of residential, business and committee properties were raised as part of the investigation. These include 11 in east London - including a sweet shop - two more across London and one in Stoke-on-Trent. Police said these searches are still ongoing.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "These arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism and are not in response to any immediate public safety risk."

Last month, the UK raised its terror threat level from substantial to severe due to the rise of militant groups in the Middle East, such as the Islamic State (also known as Isis).